Large-scale agrivoltaic project goes live in Italy

European solar power developer Cero Generation has said that its 70MW Pontinia agrivoltaic project has gone live in the Lazio region of Italy.

Pontinia is the company's first Italian agrivoltaic project. It will generate enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of over 47,000 homes and avoid around 40,000 tonnes CO2 per year.

About 65% of the 135 hectares that Pontinia sits on will be used for agricultural crops, which will help to maximise land use in the region.

Cero is collaborating with a social farm called Fattoria Solidale del Circeo, which will be carrying out the farming activities for the project. The farm provides work placements for vulnerable or socially excluded people. They are taught to cultivate crops using biodynamic and fuel-efficient methods and supported to reintegrate into the community.

Marta Martinez Queimadelos, CEO of Cero Generation, commented in a statement: “We’re delighted to see our Pontinia project enter operation and start to produce cleaner, cheaper, and more secure energy for the Province of Latina in the Lazio region. The...project’s clever integration with agricultural crops embodies the scale of innovation needed to combat the climate crisis.”

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VPPAs signed

The project is being supported by two 10-year virtual power purchase agreements which have been signed with global brewing company HEINEKEN and global health technology company Philips.

HEINEKEN and Philips will pay 64GWh/y and 16GWh/y respectively for the power generated.

They will also benefit from the Guarantees of Origin, which will reduce their carbon footprints.

HEINEKEN has a set target to reach net-zero emissions across the value chain by 2040, and made an RE100 commitment to power its breweries with 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

Philips has been carbon neutral in its operations since 2020 and is teaming up with suppliers and customers to help reduce the healthcare industry’s significant carbon footprint, a mission with which this latest PPA agreement is aligned.

Schneider Electric supported Philips and HEINEKEN in project selection and contract negotiations.

Marco Faes, director regional corporate affairs Europe at HEINEKEN said: “As part of our ambition to Brew a Better World, we are accelerating the transition to decarbonise our breweries.

"The Pontinia initiative in Italy moves us one step closer to reaching 100% renewable electricity in Europe within a year. We’re happy to be partnering on this PPA and we remain focused on our net-zero journey ahead.”

Robert Metzke, global head of sustainability at Philips, added: “There is a growing urgency and drive in the healthcare sector to reduce the impact on the environment. The Pontinia initiative will expand our network of facilities that allow us to procure renewable electricity for both our customers and our own operations.”