Iberdrola Unveils 243 MW Fénix, Its Largest Solar Power Plant in Italy
Iberdrola has officially inaugurated Fénix, its largest photovoltaic power plant in Italy, marking another significant milestone in the company’s renewable energy expansion across Europe. Located in the heart of Sicily, the 243-megawatt (MW) solar facility is now fully operational and is expected to generate nearly 400,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean electricity every year—enough to meet the annual energy needs of more than 140,000 households.
The launch of the Fénix project highlights Iberdrola’s long-term commitment to accelerating the energy transition in Italy while strengthening the country’s renewable generation capacity. As Europe continues to prioritize energy independence, decarbonization, and sustainable economic growth, the new solar installation represents a major contribution to Italy’s clean energy infrastructure.
Situated across the municipalities of Centuripe, Paternò, and Belpasso, spanning the provinces of Enna and Catania, the project occupies a strategic location in Sicily, one of Italy’s regions with the highest solar irradiation levels. The plant significantly expands the availability of domestically produced renewable electricity, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels while supporting national climate objectives.
The Fénix solar plant incorporates more than 413,000 bifacial photovoltaic modules, which are designed to capture sunlight from both the front and rear surfaces. This advanced technology enables higher electricity production compared with conventional solar panels by utilizing reflected sunlight from the ground, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the installation.
To integrate the facility into Italy’s electricity network, Iberdrola developed an extensive transmission infrastructure that includes approximately 26 kilometers of medium-voltage lines and 9 kilometers of high-voltage lines. This network ensures the reliable delivery of renewable electricity generated by the plant to consumers and businesses across the region.
Construction of the project represented a major industrial undertaking and generated substantial employment opportunities throughout the development phase. At the peak of construction activity, more than 500 professionals were engaged in building the facility, contributing to the local economy while supporting the growth of Italy’s renewable energy sector.
Beyond its impressive generation capacity, Fénix has been designed to play an important role in supporting the electrification of Italy’s industrial and commercial sectors. A significant portion of the electricity generated by the plant has already been secured through long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with leading Italian companies.
These long-term contracts provide multiple advantages for both electricity producers and corporate customers. By locking in electricity prices over extended periods, PPAs help businesses reduce exposure to volatile energy markets while ensuring predictable operating costs. At the same time, they guarantee a stable revenue stream for renewable energy projects, facilitating investment in additional clean energy capacity.
For participating companies, access to renewable electricity under long-term agreements strengthens supply security while helping them achieve their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives. As more industries seek to decarbonize operations and lower carbon emissions, PPAs have become an increasingly important mechanism for accelerating corporate sustainability initiatives.
The inauguration ceremony brought together senior executives from Iberdrola along with representatives from regional, municipal, and national institutions. The event was attended by Hugh Elliott, Executive President of Iberdrola Energía Internacional, and Valerio Faccenda, Country Manager of Iberdrola Italia, who joined local officials to celebrate the completion of the landmark renewable energy project.
Among the distinguished guests was Miguel Ángel Fernández-Palacios Martínez, Spain’s Ambassador to Italy, reflecting the broader significance of the investment in strengthening economic and energy cooperation between the two countries. Regional and municipal authorities also participated in the ceremony, recognizing the project’s contribution to local development and sustainable economic growth.
The commissioning of Fénix represents an important milestone in Iberdrola’s expanding presence in the Italian energy market. The company has steadily increased its investments in renewable generation across the country as part of its broader strategy to support Europe’s transition toward cleaner and more resilient energy systems.
Italy has established ambitious renewable energy and decarbonization targets under both national and European Union climate policies. Solar power is expected to play a central role in achieving these goals, making large-scale projects such as Fénix critical components of the country’s future electricity mix.
By increasing domestic renewable generation, the facility contributes to improving Italy’s energy security while reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional electricity production. The project also supports the diversification of energy sources, helping build a more resilient power system capable of meeting growing electricity demand driven by electrification across transportation, industry, and residential sectors.
The use of advanced photovoltaic technology further enhances the project’s operational performance. Bifacial solar panels typically produce higher energy yields over their operating lifetime, improving both efficiency and long-term economic returns. Combined with modern grid infrastructure, these innovations enable the plant to maximize renewable electricity production while maintaining reliable integration into the national power network.
The Fénix project also demonstrates the broader economic benefits associated with renewable energy investments. Beyond clean electricity generation, the development created employment during construction, stimulated local supply chains, and attracted investment into regional infrastructure. Such projects contribute to long-term economic development while supporting skilled jobs in engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance.
As electricity demand continues to grow across Europe, renewable energy facilities backed by long-term corporate PPAs are becoming increasingly important in ensuring affordable and sustainable power supplies for businesses. Stable renewable electricity contracts not only improve competitiveness for industrial customers but also encourage continued investment in new clean energy projects.
For Iberdrola, the successful completion of Fénix reinforces its position as one of Europe’s leading renewable energy developers. The company continues to expand its portfolio of solar, wind, and other renewable assets across multiple international markets, supporting the transition toward low-carbon electricity systems.
With nearly 400,000 MWh of expected annual clean electricity production, advanced bifacial solar technology, extensive grid connectivity, and strong support from long-term corporate customers, Fénix stands as one of Italy’s most significant photovoltaic developments. The project strengthens the country’s renewable energy capacity while advancing the shared objectives of sustainability, energy security, industrial competitiveness, and economic growth.
As Italy continues to accelerate its clean energy transformation, the inauguration of Fénix illustrates how large-scale renewable investments can deliver lasting environmental, economic, and social benefits for communities, businesses, and future generations alike.
Source Link: https://www.iberdrola.com/
