Italy opened the world's first commercial geothermal power plant at Larderello in 1913.
Larderello is a geothermal region in Tuscany where naturally occurring steam rises from deep underground. Italian inventor and entrepreneur Piero Ginori Conti used geothermal steam to generate electricity there in 1904, proving that underground heat could produce usable power. A commercial plant followed in 1913.
The Larderello development became a model for geothermal electricity generation. Wells bring hot fluids and steam to the surface, where the steam can drive turbines connected to generators. The region remains one of Italy's most important geothermal areas.
The 1904 experiment and the 1913 commercial plant are related but distinct milestones. The earlier event demonstrated electricity generation; the later facility marked the beginning of commercial geothermal power production. Larderello is also often associated with boric acid production, which preceded its power-generation role.