Press Releases

Annual production capacity is around 36GWh, corresponding to 15 thousand tons of avoided CO2 emissions per year
Another contribution to Italy’s energy transition and renewable energy development

The inauguration of the “Piana di Santa Chiara” photovoltaic plant, developed by Acea Solar and now owned by the company AESun Capital (60% Equitix and 40% Acea Produzione), took place this morning in the Municipality of Ferrandina (province of Matera).

The opening ceremony was attended by Filippo Stefanelli, Chairman of Acea Produzione, Marco Panfili, Associate Director of Equitix Italia and Chairman of AE Sun Capital, Alfonso Messina, Sole Director of Acea Solar, Carmine Lisanti, Mayor of Ferrandina, Angelo Zizzamia, Deputy Mayor, Maria Murante, municipal assessor for the Environment, Rosa Montefinese, town councillor, Mons. Pino Caiazzo, archbishop of the Matera-Irsina Diocese and, via external link, the assessor for the environment and energy of the region of Basilicata, Cosimo Latronico.

The facility, which covers an area of 40 hectares and has an installed capacity of approximately 20MW, giving an output of around 36GWh per annum, equal to over 1,830 equivalent operating hours/year, corresponding to 15 thousand tons of avoided CO2 emissions per year, is capable of supplying enough energy to satisfy the annual requirement of more than 10,000 households. The plant sells the energy generated directly to the market and won the tender called by Terna on the “Capacity Market”, with an overall “reserved capacity” of 3MW, for which it will receive a fixed annual payment for the next 15 years.

Filippo Stefanelli, Chairman of Acea Produzione, commented: “We have derived particular satisfaction from the building of this plant, the largest facility currently connected in Basilicata, the result of a virtuous collaboration between private firms and the local community with the aim of contributing towards the achievement of renewable source production objectives targeted by Italy.  A commitment shared also by the Acea Group, which has chosen to invest in this sector in order to play an active role in the energy transition path that has now become a priority and can no longer be postponed.”

Marco Panfili, Associate Director di Equitix Italia, commented: “We take pride in the construction of this facility, the product of a major partnership with a prominent industrial player such as Acea. Equitix firmly believes in the consolidation of positive and lasting relationships with the local communities, located in the vicinity of our assets. We wish to thank those who have actively contributed to the realisation of this project. We watch with great interest our investments involving the Italian market and are strongly committed to enhancing our presence in this country and in the renewable energy market”.

Carmine Lisanti, Mayor of Ferrandina, commented: “The town council wishes to express its satisfaction at having Basilicata’s largest photovoltaic plant constructed in its territory. A green investment which has enabled us not only to take advantage of locally developed projects about be implemented, such as the renovation of the Mother Church façade and the efficiency enhancement and upgrading of most of the public lighting in our historical centre, but above all to expand our knowledge and collaborations in matters pertaining to renewable energy. The local communities can play a fundamental role in reducing CO2 emissions. I like to talk about energy democracy: we have to liberate ourselves from dependency on resources that do not belong to us, such as coal. We can do this only insofar as also from the base, from the local communities, many communities will emerge that are able to produce and exchange energy. The Municipality of Ferrandina intends to embark along this path towards a world that is “freer” from fossil fuels, also via the active role of its citizens.