Edison and Webuild Collaborate on Major Pumped Hydroelectric Projects to Enhance Italy’s Energy Security and Economic Development

Edison and Webuild Collaborate on Major Pumped Hydroelectric Projects to Enhance Italy’s Energy Security and Economic Development

(IN BRIEF) Edison and Webuild have joined forces to develop pumped hydroelectric projects in Southern Italy, focusing on sites in Pescopagano and Villarosa. These projects aim to generate 500 MW of pumped energy by 2030, supporting Italy’s energy security and economic development goals. The initiatives, integral to Edison’s strategy to expand its renewable energy capacity, involve upgrading existing infrastructure with innovative technologies to ensure efficient energy storage and water management. Pending regulatory approvals, the projects are expected to contribute significantly to Italy’s decarbonisation efforts and enhance the country’s energy resilience.

(PRESS RELEASE) MILAN, 11-Jul-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Edison and Webuild have announced a strategic partnership to develop pumped hydroelectric projects in Southern Italy. This collaboration, aimed at enhancing Italy’s energy security and promoting economic development, will focus on sites in Pescopagano (Basilicata) and Villarosa (Sicily), both owned by Edison.

The projects, integral to Edison’s goal of expanding its green energy capacity to 5 GW by 2030, will involve the installation of advanced pumped hydro technologies. These technologies will enable the storage of renewable energy generated during peak periods, thereby bolstering grid stability and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.

Mr. Nicola Monti, CEO of Edison, emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration, stating, “This partnership with Webuild marks a significant step towards strengthening Italy’s energy infrastructure. By harnessing innovative pumped hydro solutions, we aim to not only increase renewable energy capacity but also contribute to Italy’s economic growth.”

Webuild, renowned for its expertise in complex infrastructure projects globally, including the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydroelectric plant in Australia, brings valuable technical know-how to the partnership. Mr. Pietro Salini, CEO of Webuild, expressed confidence in the venture, highlighting its potential to drive sustainable development and combat drought in Southern Italy.

Pending regulatory approvals from the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) and regional authorities, the projects are poised to commence construction and participate in competitive tenders organized by Terna. These initiatives are expected to attract approximately €1.2 billion in private investments, creating socio-economic benefits and reinforcing Italy’s position as a leader in the European hydroelectric sector.

Edison
Edison is a leading energy company, with 140 years of history and records that make it Europe’s oldest operator in the sector. The company employs more than 5,500 people, operating in Italy and Europe in renewable and low-carbon production, natural gas procurement and sales, sustainable mobility, and through Edison Energia and Edison Next in energy, environmental and value-added services for customers, companies, territories and Public Administration. The Group is at the forefront of the energy transition challenge, consistent with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and European decarbonisation policies. Edison has a highly flexible and efficient power generation fleet, consisting of more than 250 power plants including hydroelectric, wind, solar and high-efficiency gas-fired combined-cycle thermoelectric power plants with a total capacity of about 7.2 GW; and supplies the country with LNG and natural gas, thanks to a large and highly diversified portfolio of 13 billion cubic metres per year.

Webuild
Webuild is a global leader in the design and construction of large, complex projects in the sectors of sustainable mobility, hydropower, water management and production, and green buildings. For many years, the recognized leader in the water sector, also ranking
among the Top 10 international players in Australia, Europe and the US, the Group has consolidated experience in 50 countries. In almost 120 years of applied engineering on more than 3,200 projects, the Group has built 14,140 kilometres of rail and metro lines,
82,533 kilometres of roads and highways, 1,020 kilometres of bridges and viaducts, 3,408 kilometres of tunnels, and 313 dams and hydropower plants. Projects include the Bridge over the Danube River in Braila in Romania, and the Genoa Long Beach International Gateway in California; the expansion of the Panama Canal and the Third Bosphorus Bridge in Turkey; the Kingdom Centre skyscraper in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and metro lines in Copenhagen, Paris, Rome, Milan, Doha and Ryadh. Projects under construction include the New Genoa Breakwater, the Brenner Base Tunnel, Line 4 of Milan’s metro, and Line C of Rome’s metro, the Genoa-Milan highcapacity railway line, the Snowy 2.0 hydroelectric project in Australia, and the Trojena project for NEOM in Saudi Arabia. As of December 31, 2023, the Webuild Group with 87,000 people, achieved 10 billion in total revenues, and a total backlog of €64 billion, with over 90% of its construction backlog related to projects linked to the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Webuild, subject to the direction and coordination of Salini Costruttori S.p.A., is headquartered in Italy and is listed on
the Milan stock exchange (WBD; WBD.MI; WBD:IM). Since 2021, it is member of the MIB ESG, the index of Italian companies with the best ESG practices.

Media Contact:

Edison:
http://www.edison.it/it/contatti-2
http://www.edison.it/it/media
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaL9hLg8PgsOJ0yXxZ1E

Elena Distaso, 338 2500609, elena.distaso@edison.it;
Lorenzo Matucci, 337 1500332, lorenzo.matucci@edison.it;
Antonella Ladisi, 335 1000793, antonella.ladisi@edison.it

Webuild:
Francesca Romana Chiarano
Tel. +39 338 247 4827
email: f.chiarano@webuildgroup.com

SOURCE: Webuild S.p.A.