RWE has commissioned its first solar plant in Italy, marking a significant step in its renewable energy expansion within the country.
RWE said the Bosco ground-mounted solar plant has a capacity of 8.3 megawatts (MWac) and consists of approximately 15,000 bifacial photovoltaic modules.
Spanning 16 hectares in the municipality of Partinico near Palermo, Sicily, the facility is set to supply green electricity to up to 7,000 Italian households. The development of the Bosco solar plant was facilitated by Italy’s new accelerated permitting process, which allowed RWE to achieve the Ready-to-Build milestone in under 18 months.
Following this milestone, construction was completed in approximately ten months. To maximize efficiency and resource utilization while addressing grid constraints, RWE integrated the solar plant with an existing substation in Partinico, which already serves nearby RWE wind farms, ensuring seamless grid connectivity.
RWE has taken proactive steps to ensure that the Bosco solar plant operates in harmony with the local environment. A wildlife-friendly fence has been installed around the site, specifically designed to allow small animals such as foxes and rabbits to move safely through the area. The fence is elevated slightly from the ground to create sufficient space for animals to pass underneath. This voluntary initiative reflects RWE’s broader commitment to biodiversity protection and sustainable development in its renewable energy projects.
Katja Wunschel, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, noted that solar energy is a natural complement to RWE’s wind power operations in Italy, as their generation patterns align to provide a balanced renewable energy supply.
She also praised the efficiency of the permitting and grid integration process for Bosco, positioning the project as a model for future developments. RWE remains committed to advancing Italy’s transition toward a clean, stable, and cost-effective energy system, with additional projects in the pipeline.
RWE has a strong presence in Italy’s renewable energy market and follows a fully integrated project approach, managing the development, construction, operation, and marketing of wind and solar assets. The company currently operates 16 onshore wind farms in Italy, with a total installed capacity of 527 MW, supplying approximately 450,000 households with green electricity annually.
RWE is constructing the 53 MW Mondonuovo wind farm in the Apulia region. Beyond its wind energy projects, the company is expanding its solar footprint with innovative agri-photovoltaic (Agri-PV) projects.
RWE said the Morcone (9.8 MWac) and Acquafredda (9.3 MWac) plants, currently under construction in the Campania region, represent RWE’s first large-scale commercial Agri-PV developments in Italy. These projects integrate solar energy generation with agricultural activities, reinforcing RWE’s commitment to sustainability and the efficient use of land.