The hydroelectric potential of the River Lima was exploited through the construction of the Hydroelectric Power Station in Paradamonte, completed in 1922, although with successive expansions up to 1953. Between 1948 and 1957, with the plant in full operation, a kind of "city" was created for the workers and their families. In addition to the housing estates, such as that at Rebolar, various facilities were built to provide support services for the "barragistas", as residents were known. These housing estates were a kind of "gated community", in which residents had numerous perks (swimming pool, playgrounds, cinema, cafeteria, bar, medical clinic, library and school) normally unavailable to most inhabitants of the region.