The Vatican will develop a €100 million agrivoltaic energy plant at its Santa Maria di Galeria estate on the northwestern outskirts of Rome, according to a bilateral development agreement finalized with Italy. The facility, with an expected capacity of 80 to 90 megawatts, will span roughly 200 hectares of the 450-hectare estate, with solar panels installed several metres above ground to enable dual land use for energy generation and agriculture.
Construction and permitting are projected to take 18 to 24 months, with the plant expected to supply electricity to Vatican facilities within two years. The project will not receive Italian government incentives available to households and companies installing solar systems, and its implementation will impose no additional cost on public finances, the Vatican stated.
The agrivoltaic design aims to reduce water evaporation and protect crops from extreme weather by providing shade beneath the elevated panels. The facility will primarily serve Vatican Radio’s transmission operations and help make Vatican City self-sufficient in energy, with surplus power to be exported to Italy. Properties linked to the Holy See in Rome, including the Bambino Gesù children’s hospital, may also benefit from the project.
The Vatican has a history of solar energy initiatives, including a 2008 project where SolarWorld and SMA Solar Technology donated 2,400 photovoltaic panels for the roof of the Nervi Hall. The estate has housed Vatican Radio transmission equipment since the 1950s and operates under a special status that includes exemptions from Italian taxes and public charges.
A joint Italian-Vatican commission met earlier this month to advance the project, following Italy’s ratification of the bilateral development agreement this year. Contracts are expected to be tendered in the coming weeks.
