Vatican to build €100 million renewable energy plant, sources say

The Vatican plans to construct a €100 million renewable energy plant, sources confirm. This agrivoltaic installation, capable of generating 80-90 megawatts of power, could potentially supply electricity to the Holy See within two years. The project, set to be located on the Vatican-owned Santa Maria di Galeria estate in Rome, involves combining solar panels with agriculture.

The panels will be positioned several meters above the ground, allowing crops to grow beneath them, thereby reducing evaporation and protecting plants from extreme weather. The site, spanning 450 hectares, has previously been used by Vatican Radio since the 1950s. Once completed, the plant would power Vatican Radio's transmission station, assist in making Vatican City fully energy self-sufficient, and provide surplus electricity to other Holy See-linked properties, such as Rome's Bambino Gesù hospital.

While the Vatican will not benefit from the financial incentives available to Italian households and businesses, any excess power would be supplied to Italy. The project, a priority for the late Pope Francis, has received endorsement from Pope Leo XIV. Its implementation is subject to approval under a special status granted to Vatican Radio facilities, similar to exemptions from Italian taxes and public charges. Contracts for the project are expected to be issued in the coming weeks.