Cortes-La Muela Reservoir, Stausee in Spanien
The Cortes-La Muela Reservoir is a large water body in the middle course of the Río Júcar in Valencia Province, where land and water meet in a wide, open space. The arch-gravity dam, a massive concrete structure, towers over the mountain landscape, while water spreads across many acres and displays the force of the stored river.
The facility was built in the early 1980s when engineers wanted a new way to store energy by pumping water into a reservoir. The La Muela II expansion followed in 2015, making the system Europe's largest of its kind, with new turbines and a larger reservoir integrated into the mountain.
The area around the reservoir belongs to rural communities where daily life is shaped by the water and landscape. The modern facilities bring energy and employment to the region, while residents continue to use the water and land for everyday tasks.
The site has walking paths that allow you to stroll near the water and observe the structure and surroundings. A visit requires no special preparation, and you will notice quiet moments broken only by water and machinery sounds that give the place its character.
The system uses pumped-storage: at night when less electricity is needed, water is pumped uphill; during the day it flows through turbines to generate power. This flexible method allows electricity to be supplied exactly when needed and adapts to changing energy supplies.
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