Vatican to Build Major Solar Power Plant
The Vatican is investing 100 million euros to build an 80-90 megawatt agro-electric plant. Located in the suburbs of Rome, the project aims to achieve energy independence for the Holy See within two years.
The Vatican will build a renewable energy production plant with an investment of 100 million euros with the goal of meeting its energy needs within two years. This will be done through a system that combines solar energy and agriculture, according to sources involved in the project.
The agro-electric plant is expected to produce about 80-90 megawatts and become one of the most powerful power plants in Italy. Agro-electric power plants consist of solar panels installed several meters above the ground, with crops growing underneath them, while the panels provide shade and maintain air humidity.
A joint commission of Italy and the Vatican met earlier this month to launch the project at the Santa Maria di Galeria estate located in the northwestern suburbs of Rome, after Italy ratified the project's construction in 2025. According to estimates by sources who spoke to Reuters, the construction of the facility is expected to take 18-24 months.
The Vatican, the capital of the Catholic religion, is the smallest country in the world with an area of less than half a square kilometer and only about 900 residents. The area in Santa Maria di Galeria, where the plant will be built, has been used by the Vatican for radio broadcasting since the 1950s. The facility is intended to provide electricity to the broadcasting station and help make the Vatican completely energy independent.
The sources noted that the electricity may also be used for assets associated with the Holy See, including the Bambino Gesu hospital in Rome. However, the Vatican will not benefit from the financial incentives available to Italian households and businesses that install solar systems, and any excess electricity will be made available to Italy.
The project was a top priority for the late Pope Francis - the first Pope to accept the scientific consensus regarding climate change, and received support from his successor Leo XIV.
