Serre-Ponçon dam

The construction of the Serre-Ponçon dam, made of materials extracted from the bed of the Durance, between 1955 and 1960, required the displacement of the inhabitants and the destruction of the villages of Savines and Ubaye.

It is a compacted earth dam, the central core being made of waterproof clay. It has been designated as a 20th century heritage site.

The hydroelectric plant dug into the rock was gradually brought into service from 1960 onwards.
Serre-Ponçon is the first of the 16 dams and 23 power plants that make up the Durance-Verdon hydroelectric chain. It is the main reservoir, feeding the EDF Durance canal for almost 250 km.

On average, this chain produces the electricity needed by 2.1 million people per year, the equivalent of the population of Paris itself. Renewable energy with no greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions.

In addition to producing electricity, these structures are a considerable regional asset, playing a key role in the sharing of water in Provence:

- supply of drinking water for more than 3 million people,

- irrigation of 80,000 hectares of agricultural land,

- supply of industrial water for nearly 400 companies,

- drought and flood control,

- development of the tourist economy.