Vatican going green, turns to renewable energy for electricity needs
The new, renewable energy plant could feature 80 to 90 megawatts of capacity, with an estimated cost of US$117 million and an 18- to 24-month completion time frame, according to Reuters
The Holy See will soon see the light...solar-powered light, that is.
Last month, Reuters reported the Vatican is turning to renewable energy to build a plant to power the Holy See in about two years from now, establishing it through a setup that will combine solar power and agriculture.
It is estimated to have an estimated tag price of US$117 million.
Sources involved in the project told Reuters the agrivoltaic plant is projected to have a capacity of 80 to 90 megawatts. If that transpires as planned, it would be one of Italy's largest, related installations.
(Fabio Fistaro/Unsplash)
In such facilities, solar panels are placed several metres above the ground to allow to grow beneath them. The shade will assist in reducing evaporation and protecting plants from extreme weather.
The tracking solar panels would cover approximately 200 hectares, almost half of the Santa Maria di Galeria site, a source told Reuters.
With a reported time frame of 18 to 24 months to finish, the plant will be designed to power Vatican Radio's transmission station and help to make the Vatican City fully self-sufficient on energy use.
(Caleb Miller/Unsplash)
Holy See-related properties, including Rome's Bambino Gesù hospital, may also use the power, according to Reuters.
Any excess electricity from the plant would be available for Italy to use.
The renewable energy plant was a project that became a focus for the late Pope Francis, the first pontiff to accept the scientific consensus on climate change. It has since been endorsed by Pope Leo XIV.
Reuters reached out to the Vatican for comment, but it didn't respond to the request before publication.
WATCH: Nearly 3,000 solar panels cleverly hidden in this urban area
Thumbnail courtesy of Caleb Miller/Unsplash.
With files from Reuters.
