Exhibition “Conservation and Restoration Intervention of the Industrial Archaeology Collection of the Central do Caldeirão (2020–2023)”

This is a long-term exhibition that presents, following a careful restoration process, the machinery of the former Central do Caldeirão power station, as well as content relating to its workers.

Inaugurated on 1 May 2023, this museum nucleus is the result of the restoration of the former Torres Novas hydroelectric power station, which operated between 1923 and 1984.

The initial phase of the Central do Caldeirão was led by the industrialist José Manuel Ferreira (1874–1948), who oversaw the acquisition of machinery and the production process.

From the mid-1930s onwards, a limited liability company, Empresa Industrial de Electricidade do Almonda, was established and remained responsible, until 1984, for the management, production, and distribution of electricity in the city and municipality of Torres Novas.

More than 150 workers passed through the power station, including electricians, machine operators, administrative staff, assistants, locksmiths, technical and maintenance staff, as well as personnel responsible for customer service and billing.