German energy group Steag GmbH will build 3 solar parks with 244 MW combined capacity in Italy's Apulia for an unidentified 'renowned investor' on land that produces mainly olives, but also almonds, figs, and tomatoes. Steag said these projects will contribute to the growth of crops here, while also ensuring sustainable energy generation.
All 3 projects with a different capacity, are set to come up within 20 kms of each other in Foggia region. Construction on site is scheduled to begin at the end of 2021. Counting the benefits of solar parks on agricultural land, Steag said these help deal with shortage of space, while partial overshadowing of trees by the solar modules ensures less evaporation and lower water consumption.
These agrivoltaic projects will be built by the German group's Steag Solar Energy Solutions (SENS) that will also be responsible for providing project development as EPC and O&M service provider.
Steag is hopeful of such agrivoltaic projects securing state support in the future as Italy pursues its plans as set out in the Plan Nacional Integrado de Energia y Clima 2021-2030 (PNIEC). Under PNIEC the country aims to install 4 GW solar PV capacity annually until 2030. This plan will be realized through a technical commission that's to be set up by the Italian government to accelerate the implementation of this plan.
Recently, Steag announced a 500 MW hydrogen electrolyzer project in Germany to help thyssenkrupp to decarbonize steel production (see RE Powered 500 MW Electrolyzer Plant In Germany).