In Italy, there are over 530 large dams primarily used for electricity generation and water supply. The multiple uses of water resources are strongly influenced by issues related to the aging of dams, whose average age has exceeded 60 years, and by climate change impacting water availability. Furthermore, European directives on energy and climate aim to preserve current hydroelectric production and increase storage capacity to facilitate grid penetration of production from non-programmable renewable sources.

Identifying methods and actions to address the complex relationship between dams and the territories where they are located represents a critical point in the ongoing process to achieve energy and climate goals, considering that part of the media and public opinion often have a negative or partial view of the role of dams and reservoirs.

These considerations underpin the “Dams and Territory” initiatives promoted by ITCOLD (Italian Committee on Large Dams), which has been organizing regional workshops annually since 2014. The objective is to facilitate dialogue between concessionaires and stakeholders operating at the local level to find a balance among conflicting interests.

ITCOLD’s activities were presented at the ICOLD & CFBR Symposium “Sharing water: Multi-purpose of reservoir and innovations”.