 The economy is now based mainly on tourism, agriculture (fruit and wine), wind power generation and slate mining.Important factors contributing to the recent boom of the tourism industry in the region are the increasing popularity of the Way of St. James (; a pilgrimage route that goes from France to Santiago de Compostela, Galicia), the designation in 1997 of Las Médulas as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the development of rural tourism lodging and wineries in the area.The Energy City Foundation was established in Ponferrada in 2006 and is currently overseeing the construction of the National Energy Museum ("") in the city, as well as sponsoring several other initiatives that should further boost tourism and the economy of the region.