Project financing supports the construction of one of Italy’s largest and most advanced agrivoltaic developments, further expanding European Energy’s renewable energy assets’ portfolio in the country.
- EUR 234.1 million project financing secured for the 225 MW Vizzini agrivoltaic project in Sicily, among the first projects of its kind in Italy to secure financing at this scale.
- Financing provided by Crédit Agricole CIB, Intesa Sanpaolo (IMI CIB Division), NORD/LB, and Societe Generale.
- The financing demonstrates the bankability of advanced agrivoltaic projects combining utility-scale renewable energy generation with continued agricultural use. Project benefits from Italy’s 20-year FerX Contract for Difference scheme.
European Energy as Sponsor has reached financial close on EUR 234.1m of project financing on behalf of Sun Project s.r.l as Borrower, the developer of a 225 MW advanced agrivoltaic project located in Vizzini (CT) – Sicily, Italy.
The financing was provided by Crédit Agricole CIB, Intesa Sanpaolo (IMI CIB Division), NORD/LB, and Societe Generale and will support the construction of the project, which is expected to enter commercial operation in 2028.
The transaction is among the first financings of an agrivoltaic project of this scale and complexity in Italy. Unlike a conventional utility-scale solar installation, Vizzini has been designed to integrate large-scale electricity generation with continued agricultural activities and biodiversity measures across the site. Securing long-term project financing from four leading European banks therefore represents an important demonstration of the bankability of advanced agrivoltaic projects in the Italian market.
The project benefits from a 20-year Contract for Difference awarded under Italy’s FerX government support scheme, providing long-term revenue visibility.
'Securing financing for projects of this scale reflects the quality of our development work and our ability to deliver investment-ready renewable energy assets. Strong interest from leading international and Italian lenders demonstrates continued confidence in well-structured renewable energy projects backed by stable regulatory frameworks,' said Jens-Peter Zink, Deputy CEO at European Energy.
Construction of the project is already underway. Once completed, Vizzini will be among the largest agrivoltaic projects in Italy. The facility is expected to generate approximately 405 GWh of electricity annually, corresponding to the electricity consumption of more than 135,000 households.
Vizzini represents an advanced agrivoltaic installation designed to combine utility-scale renewable electricity generation with agricultural use of the land. The project incorporates sheep grazing, reforestation initiatives and biodiversity measures across the site, requiring the energy and agricultural components to be integrated within the overall design and operation of the project.
'Vizzini demonstrates that agrivoltaics can move beyond development into large-scale construction and financing. The combination of contracted revenues, secured grid connection and a robust technical and agricultural design has enabled us to establish a bankable structure for a particularly complex renewable energy project. That is important not only for Vizzini, but also for the development of the agrivoltaic market in Italy,' said Filippo Ricci, Country Manager of Italy, European Energy.
The transaction was supported by a team of outstanding advisors. For the Borrower: ValeCap acted as exclusive Financial Advisor on the transaction, and Green Horse Legal Advisory and EOS as Legal and Technical Advisors respectively.
The Lenders were advised by Legance acting as Legal Advisor and Fichtner Italia acting as Technical Advisor.
Source: European Energy
