Drought and Hydroelectric Plants: The Case of the Turano River Ends Up in the Prosecutor's Office

The water crisis that hit Italy in 2026 has reached the courtrooms. At the center of the Prosecutor's investigation is the case of the Turano River in Lazio, nearly dried up due to the failure to release water from the Rocca Sinibalda hydroelectric plant. Local communities are in revolt over the environmental situation.

The judiciary is investigating Enel, the owner of the hydroelectric plants, as well as the Italian state. Brussels has indeed opened an infringement procedure against Italy for failing to transpose the European directive on the updating of concessions. The Turano case thus becomes an emblematic example of the "water war" raging from North to South.

The problem stems from the severe drought that hit Italy in 2026, drastically reducing hydroelectric production (which fell by 40% in the first half of the year). Hydroelectric plants must balance two conflicting needs: generating electricity and maintaining sufficient water releases to preserve rivers and lakes.

The specific case of the Turano dates back to the 1930s, when two large artificial basins (Lake Turano and Lake Salto) were created to power a powerful hydroelectric plant. By law, the plant must release water into the Turano River to maintain its vital flow to Rieti. With the drought, these releases have decreased, almost completely drying up the river.

The situation has created a conflict between Enel (which manages the plants), local administrations, citizen committees, and environmental associations. The European Union intervened because Italy failed to update the rules on hydroelectric concessions as required by a community directive. Now the judiciary will have to determine responsibilities and possible solutions.