Let there be sunlight: Vatican plans solar and agriculture plant to cover its electricity needs

The Vatican plans to construct a roughly €100 million agrivoltaic renewable energy plant near Rome, aiming to cover its electricity needs within two years. This plant, expected to have a capacity of 80 to 90 megawatts, will be one of Italy's largest, combining solar power with agriculture. The project, launched by a joint Italian-Vatican commission, will be located on the Vatican-owned Santa Maria di Galeria estate and is designed to make Vatican City State fully energy self-sufficient, with any surplus electricity supplied to Italy. The initiative was a priority for the late Pope Francis and has been endorsed by Pope Leo XIV, reflecting the Vatican's commitment to climate change action.