Built between 1908 and 1922, it ceased operations in the mid-1990s
There was a time when industrial buildings were constructed not only with functionality in mind, but also aesthetics.
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In the town of Ponte da Barca, in northern Portugal, one can still see an abandoned example of that era when some factories resembled cathedrals: the Electra do Lima, a former reversible hydroelectric power plant built between 1908 and 1922, which began operating as a private company in April 1922. The long construction period was due to the economic difficulties Portugal faced during the World War I.
Initially, the power plant was equipped with two generating units of 8750 kVA each, which were commissioned in 1922 and 1923. This plant produced more than 300 kWh in the second half of the 1960s. In 1980, the company Electra del Lima was nationalized, becoming part of the state-owned company Electricidade de Portugal (EDP). The power plant ceased operations in the mid-1990s, and was later transferred to the Ponte da Barca City Council for use as a museum.
A week ago, Exploring the Unbeaten Path published a video showing the interior of this power plant, which currently appears to be abandoned:
You can see some screenshots from this interesting video here. Here we see the hydroelectric power plant with its beautiful natural surroundings. The company that owns this power plant takes its name from the watercourse that flows alongside it, the Limia River (Lima in Portuguese), an international river that originates in Monte Talariño (in Ourense, Spain) and flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Viana do Castelo (Portugal).
Some old indicators that still retain their good original appearance. Despite years of neglect, the power plant is quite well preserved. I’ve read that there are plans to restore it.
A beautiful wrought iron staircase, a remnant of that era when a factory was a building that, in addition to serving a specific function, also had to be beautiful.
The two original generating units of this power plant. They appear to be well preserved. They are two true gems of industrial archaeology.
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Images: Exploring the Unbeaten Path.