Iberdrola, a Spanish utility based in Bilbao and among the leaders in Europe by market capitalisation, is building the largest photovoltaic park in Italy. The deal was signed with IB Vogt for the construction of a 245 MW plant, called Phoenix, which will be located in eastern Sicily. The Spanish utility confirmed that it has all the necessary authorizations from local authorities for the construction of the solar park in Sicily, but did not release details on the precise location of the plant. Currently, only 60 photovoltaic systems in Italy exceed 10 MW of capacity, with an average of 26 MW. Work will begin in March.
Up to 400 Gwh per year
Once completed, the plant will reach a capacity of 305 MW, to which another 60 MW can be added. With his 424.638 photovoltaic modules, it is estimated that it will generate approx 400GWh per year, providing clean energy to power over 140.000 homes and reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 119.000 tonnes per year. In terms of employment, approximately 500 workers will be employed locally during the construction phase of the wind farm. Once the plant is operational, it is estimated that 100 permanent jobs will be needed during commercial operation.
Iberdrola's other projects
In 2022, Iberdrola inaugurated its first 23 MW photovoltaic plant in Montalto di Castro, Lazio. Subsequently, in the same region, in 2023, it completed a second 7 MW solar plant in Montefiascone and started construction of another 32 MW solar plant in Tarquinia.
In addition to the Fenix project, which represents the largest solar park under construction in Italy, two other solar plants, Limes 10 and Limes 15, with capacities of 18 MW and 36 MW respectively, will begin construction in the first half of 2024. Three other projects they are scheduled for the second half of the year and already have all the necessary authorizations.
Overall, the Spanish multinational will have 330 MW under construction in Italy by 2024 and another 40 MW in early 2025, bringing overall installed capacity to 400 MW.
“These are the steps already taken. But the Iberdrola's growth in Italy does not stop", commented Valerio Faccenda, country manager of Iberdrola Renovables in Italy, who underlines how the company "has undoubtedly laid solid foundations for achieving the 2030 and 2035 objectives, with a 100% renewable portfolio of over 115 wind, photovoltaic and storage projects in an advanced stage of development for a total capacity of 5 GW”.
