La Hidro, Historic water management site in Güímar, Canary Islands.
La Hidro is a hydroelectric power station in the Güímar valley, at about 675 metres above sea level near La Degollada. Its building has two adjoining orthogonal bodies: a two-storey block with a flat roof and openings on three facades, and a single-storey body with a gabled uralite roof and two south-facing windows. Inside, the diesel group and alternator remain.
La Hidro was inaugurated on 7 April 1929 by the Hidroeléctrica de Güímar company, an idea conceived in 1920 by mayor Tomás Cruz García. The irrigation community Río y Badajoz granted water rights free and in perpetuity in exchange for 2% of the company's shares. It first supplied Güímar at night, extended to Arafo in the early 1930s, added a 120 HP diesel unit in 1951, and joined UNELCO in 1972.
The plant's name, La Hidro, is how locals refer to the hydroelectric station, and the old access path from the San Juan neighbourhood keeps stretches of cobblestone in good condition. The irrigation community Río y Badajoz granted the water concession free and in perpetuity in exchange for 2% of the company's shares.
Access is by an old path from the San Juan neighbourhood, with a second branch starting at the Barranco de Badajoz; the site lies about 3 km from Güímar's town centre at roughly 675 m altitude. Some stretches of the path near the plant keep their cobbles. The terrain is terraced and partly overgrown, so wear sturdy shoes.
The plant's water came from the Galería El Calvario through the Bajante del Morro de La Habana, a channel running beside the access path; it is no longer in use. The building's main facade still holds the anchor terminals of the vanished power line that fed the valley towns.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,470 contributors worldwide.