Lightsource BP, a joint venture between Lightsource and BP, has signed agreements with two Italian companies to develop photovoltaic (PV) projects worth 400MWp in Italy. The company signed its first agreement with engineering firm SolarIT to develop 200MWp of PV capacity in Veneto, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Lombardy. The second agreement is to jointly develop a pipeline of 200 MW PV projects in north-central Italy and the country's two largest islands, Sicily and Sardinia, with the Italian branch of TEPRenewables. Of the pipeline's total capacity, 163MW has been identified and is expected to come online within the next two years.

“We have been working hard to develop a solid portfolio of PV projects in southern Italy,” said Giovanni Mascari, Country Head Italy at Lightsource BP. “Now we believe that it is time to expand into the rest of the country and start activities in northern Italy. “The North offers several opportunities, first and foremost related to a more streamlined authorisation process and the possibility of obtaining a power purchase agreement (PPA). “We intend to seize these opportunities and continue to strengthen our relationship with local developers, institutions and communities. The companies will also focus on combining solar facilities with energy storage systems to make the national grid more flexible. Keywords: engineering construction, engineering news

Through these partnerships, Lightsource BP intends to further strengthen its presence in the Italian renewable energy sector by exploring new opportunities in central and northern Italy. Mascari added: "Lightsource BP's experience in developing land-specific projects, for example through the implementation of agro-PV programmes, installation of transmission lines and coordinated work with multiple partners, will allow us to provide sustainable solar coverage throughout Italy. "In October 2021, Lightsource BP signed an agreement to jointly develop a 757MWp solar portfolio in Poland.EditorXingWentao