Vatican approves €100 million agrivoltaic plant to power Holy See

AI digestMimile.ai EditorialAugust 22, 2026 at 12:02 PM

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Vatican approves €100 million agrivoltaic plant to power Holy See

The Vatican will build a roughly €100 million ($117 million) renewable energy plant combining solar power and agriculture at its Santa Maria di Galeria estate near Rome. The agrivoltaic facility is expected to have a capacity of 80 to 90 megawatts and could meet all of Vatican City State's electricity needs within two years. Contracts for the work are to go out to tender in the coming weeks.

Key Facts

The agrivoltaic plant is expected to have a capacity of 80 to 90 megawatts, making it one of Italy's largest such installations.
The project could cost about €100 million ($117 million) and take 18 to 24 months to complete, including permitting and administrative procedures.
A joint Italian-Vatican commission met earlier this month to launch the project at the Vatican-owned Santa Maria di Galeria estate on Rome's northwestern outskirts.
Tracking solar panels would cover about 200 hectares, nearly half the Santa Maria di Galeria site.
Any surplus electricity would be made available to Italy.

Project Details

The agrivoltaic plant is expected to have a capacity of 80 to 90 megawatts, making it one of Italy's largest such installations. The project could cost about €100 million ($117 million) and take 18 to 24 months to complete, including permitting and administrative procedures. In such plants, solar panels are mounted several metres above the ground so crops can grow beneath them, with the shade helping to reduce evaporation and shielding plants from extreme weather. Tracking solar panels would cover about 200 hectares, nearly half the Santa Maria di Galeria site.

Energy Use and Distribution

The plant is designed to supply power to Vatican Radio's transmission station and help make Vatican City State fully energy self-sufficient. The power could also be used by Holy See-linked properties including Rome's Bambino Gesù hospital. The Vatican will not benefit from the financial incentives available to Italian households and businesses that install solar power. Any surplus electricity would be made available to Italy.

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Vatican approves €100 million agrivoltaic plant to power Holy See

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Vatican approves €100 million agrivoltaic plant to power Holy See

Key Facts

Project Details

Energy Use and Distribution

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