RWE has strengthened its position in Italy’s renewable energy market after securing three new Agri-PV projects in the latest Resilience and Recovery Plan (PNRR) auction. The auction provides a contract for difference tariff and up to forty percent return on investment for advanced agricultural photovoltaic projects. This marks another major step for RWE, following two projects awarded in last year’s PNRR round that are already under construction.
The newly awarded Agri-PV portfolio totals 30.2 megawatts AC and includes three sites: Acquafredda 2 at 11.7 megawatts AC in Campania, Enna Piscopo at 9.5 megawatts in Sicily, and Cave at 9 megawatts AC in Calabria. Construction work for roughly 47,000 solar modules is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with commissioning planned for 2026.
The projects will use elevated mounting systems designed to support agricultural activity beneath the solar modules. Two sites will feature high tracker structures with a movable axis, while the third will use a high fixed-tilt design aligned with agrivoltaic-pastoral needs. This approach enables sheep grazing or crop cultivation directly below the panels, creating a fully integrated model that increases agricultural yield and improves land efficiency. The elevated panels also offer natural protection from hail, frost, drought and heavy rainfall.
RWE plans to monitor the performance of the Agri-PV systems through detailed meteorological and agricultural data collection, helping advance agrivoltaic technology for broader deployment.
Katja Wünschel, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe and Australia, said the new awards come at the perfect time as the company prepares to complete its earlier Agri-PV projects. She noted that Italy is taking a leading role in agrivoltaics, driven by the need to use limited land resources responsibly. Wünschel added that RWE will continue supporting the country’s clean energy goals.
Expanding RWE’s Renewable Footprint in Italy
RWE maintains a strong and growing presence across Italy’s renewable energy sector through an integrated development, construction and operations strategy. The company currently operates 17 onshore wind farms with a combined installed capacity of 598 megawatts, supplying clean electricity to more than 500,000 households.
The company’s Agri-PV portfolio already includes its first commercial-scale sites, Morcone at 9.8 megawatts AC and Acquafredda at 9.3 megawatts AC in Campania. Beyond solar, RWE is also expanding its wind energy operations. Construction is underway on the 47 megawatt Serra Palino wind farm in Apulia and the 45 megawatt Venusia wind farm in Basilicata.
With its latest Agri-PV auction success, RWE continues to diversify its renewable energy assets in Italy while supporting the development of advanced, land-efficient solar technologies.
Faheema P