Advancing grid-scale storage capacity in northern Italy as part of Neoen’s renewable energy expansion.
NHOA Energy, a global provider of utility-scale energy storage systems, is moving forward with the construction of the Broni Battery, a 10 MW/51 MWh project located in the municipality of Broni, in the province of Pavia, northern Italy. The project is being delivered for Neoen, one of the world’s leading independent producers of renewable energy, and represents a significant step in the expansion of battery storage infrastructure across the Italian power grid.
Construction activities at the Broni site are already in progress, with civil works advancing according to schedule. Commissioning of the facility is expected to begin in late spring 2026, marking a key milestone for both companies and for Italy’s broader energy transition strategy. Once operational, the battery system will play an important role in delivering flexibility services to the national electricity system, helping to stabilize the grid as the share of renewable generation continues to grow.
Supporting a rapidly changing energy mix
Italy, like many European countries, is undergoing a significant transformation of its energy landscape. The increasing integration of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power is essential for reducing carbon emissions and achieving climate targets. However, these sources are inherently variable and dependent on weather conditions, creating challenges for grid operators tasked with balancing supply and demand in real time.
Energy storage systems like the Broni Battery are designed to address these challenges. By storing electricity when production exceeds demand and releasing it when the grid requires additional capacity, battery storage acts as a buffer that smooths fluctuations in renewable generation. This capability is becoming increasingly vital as the share of intermittent renewable energy grows within the national electricity mix.
The 10 MW/51 MWh Broni facility is specifically engineered to provide flexibility services, which may include frequency regulation, peak shaving, and other ancillary services required to maintain grid stability. These functions help ensure that the power system remains reliable even during periods of rapid changes in generation or consumption.
A strategic first step for Neoen in Italy’s battery market
For Neoen, the Broni Battery represents the company’s first battery storage asset in Italy. The project marks an important strategic milestone as the company continues to expand its battery storage portfolio across key global markets.
Neoen has built a strong international presence in renewable energy, with significant investments in solar, wind, and battery storage projects across Europe, Australia, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. The company’s decision to enter the Italian battery storage market reflects the country’s growing demand for grid flexibility solutions and the increasing role of storage in supporting renewable integration.
By establishing its first battery asset in Italy, Neoen is positioning itself to participate in future energy storage initiatives and capacity mechanisms. The project also demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to supporting the evolution of Italy’s power system toward greater sustainability and resilience.
NHOA Energy’s continued commitment to the Italian market
For NHOA Energy, the Broni Battery reinforces the company’s strong industrial roots and long-standing presence in Italy. The firm has developed a solid track record in the design, engineering, and delivery of large-scale energy storage systems, including projects awarded under the country’s Capacity Market framework.
Italy is considered a strategic market for energy storage, as the country continues to accelerate its energy transition and implement new mechanisms to support grid flexibility. Among these initiatives are programs such as MACSE (Mechanism for the Acquisition of Electricity Storage Capacity), which are expected to drive further investment in large-scale storage infrastructure.
By contributing to projects like the Broni Battery, NHOA Energy is positioning itself at the forefront of Italy’s next wave of energy storage deployment. The company’s involvement reflects both its technical expertise and its long-term commitment to supporting national and regional decarbonization goals.
Engineering expertise and execution capabilities
According to company leadership, the Broni project demonstrates NHOA Energy’s ability to move efficiently from engineering design to on-site execution. The system has been tailored to meet the specific requirements of the Italian electricity network, ensuring optimal performance and integration with existing infrastructure.
Fabrizio Ciaccia, Vice President EMEA of NHOA Energy, emphasized the importance of the project as a showcase of the company’s capabilities. He noted that the Broni Battery reflects the firm’s ability to deliver customized energy storage solutions that address the specific needs of the Italian power system. He also highlighted the strength of the partnership with Neoen, describing it as a collaboration built on shared standards of execution, long-term vision, and a strong focus on performance across international markets.
Building on a successful global partnership
The Broni Battery is not the first project delivered jointly by NHOA Energy and Neoen. The two companies have already collaborated on major energy storage developments, most notably the Blyth Battery in South Australia.
Commissioned in 2025, the Blyth Battery has a capacity of 238 MW/477 MWh, making it the largest energy storage system in South Australia. The project represented a significant achievement for both companies and helped solidify their working relationship.
The successful delivery of the Blyth project demonstrated the partners’ ability to execute large-scale battery installations in demanding environments. It also provided valuable operational experience that can be applied to future projects, including the Broni facility in Italy.
The growing importance of battery storage in Europe
Across Europe, the role of battery storage is expanding rapidly. As countries adopt more ambitious climate targets and increase the deployment of renewable energy, the need for flexible, fast-responding storage solutions is becoming more pronounced.
Battery systems offer several advantages over traditional grid-balancing solutions. They can respond almost instantly to changes in supply and demand, require relatively small physical footprints compared to conventional power plants, and can be deployed in a modular fashion to meet specific local needs.
In Italy, the development of battery storage is expected to accelerate over the coming years. The country’s energy transition plans include significant increases in solar and wind capacity, which will require additional storage resources to maintain grid stability. Projects like the Broni Battery are therefore seen as critical components of the future energy system.
Economic and environmental benefits
Beyond grid stability, the deployment of battery storage systems can also deliver economic and environmental benefits. By reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based peaking plants, battery systems can help lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
Energy storage also supports more efficient use of renewable generation. Instead of curtailing excess solar or wind power during periods of low demand, the energy can be stored and used later, maximizing the value of renewable assets.
For local communities, projects like the Broni Battery can contribute to economic development through construction activity, ongoing maintenance operations, and increased investment in clean energy infrastructure.
