RWE Breaks Ground on First Commercial-Scale Agri-PV Projects in Italy to Boost Renewable Energy and Agriculture

RWE Breaks Ground on First Commercial-Scale Agri-PV Projects in Italy to Boost Renewable Energy and Agriculture

(IN BRIEF) RWE has begun constructing its first commercial-scale Agri-PV plants in Benevento, Italy, with the Morcone and Acquafredda projects expected to generate enough energy for over 13,000 households. The plants use elevated solar panel systems to optimize land use, allowing crops to be grown underneath while offering protection against extreme weather. The projects are set to be completed by the end of 2025, and RWE will monitor their performance to improve technology. The company continues to expand its renewable energy presence in Italy, already operating numerous wind farms and solar plants.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN/ROME, 13-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — RWE has officially commenced the construction of its inaugural commercial-scale Agri-PV plants in the Campania region, Italy. Located in the Benevento province, the Morcone and Acquafredda projects, with capacities of 9.8 MWac and 9.3 MWac respectively, will together feature over 32,500 solar modules. These two advanced Agri-PV plants will generate enough renewable energy to power more than 13,000 households in Italy. The plants are slated for commissioning by the end of 2025. Both projects were selected through Italy’s recent Recovery and Resilience Plan auction.

The Agri-PV systems will utilize elevated tracker structures, positioning the solar panels three meters above the ground with a movable axis. This design boosts the energy yield of the panels while allowing crops to be grown underneath in an integrated energy-agriculture setup. This setup not only optimizes land use but also offers agricultural benefits by providing protection for crops against extreme weather conditions such as hail, frost, drought, and heavy rainfall. RWE will monitor the performance of these advanced systems and collect meteorological and agricultural yield data to enhance technology and productivity.

Katja Wünschel, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, commented, “The commencement of construction signifies a major milestone for our Agri-PV projects, and we look forward to seeing more of these world-first commercial-scale projects. Italy, with its abundant sunlight, is an ideal location for this technology. Agri-PV allows us to make efficient use of land, generating both agricultural and renewable energy outputs – a truly sustainable, win-win solution.”

RWE continues to strengthen its presence in the Italian renewable energy sector, having established a solid foundation with numerous wind and solar projects. The company employs an integrated approach to project development, from construction to operation, and currently operates 16 onshore wind farms in Italy, delivering around 527 MW of capacity. This capacity provides green electricity to approximately 450,000 Italian households annually. RWE is also progressing with the development of the 53 MW Mondonuovo wind farm in the Apulia region and is in the commissioning phase of its 8.3 MWac Bosco solar plant near Palermo.

RWE
RWE is leading the way to a clean energy world. With its investment and growth strategy Growing Green, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in almost 30 countries worldwide. RWE is already one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. RWE is investing billions of euros in expanding its generation portfolio, in particular in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy and batteries. It is perfectly complemented by its global energy trading business. RWE is decarbonising its business in line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company’s purpose – Our energy for a sustainable life.

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Media Contact:

Viola Baumann
Spokesperson
RWE Renewables Europe & Australia GmbH
M +49 152 57909343
E viola.baumann@rwe.com

SOURCE: RWE