The project forms part of AQP’s broader energy transition strategy, designed to enhance sustainability across one of Europe’s most complex water infrastructures. System capacity has increased from 1 MW to 2.6 MW, tripling annual generation to 3.7 GWh of clean electricity. During peak sunlight hours, the array now meets 25 percent of the station’s energy demand, cutting dependence on grid supply for the network that delivers water to central and southern Puglia.
Italy – energy efficiency tops the agenda at KEY 2026
The upgrade eliminates around 1,140 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, improving air quality and lowering the site’s overall energy footprint. Sustainability also guided construction: existing structures and ballast were reused, and decommissioned modules were sent to recycling facilities where 98 percent of materials including silicon, glass, aluminium and plastics were recovered.
How Italy is advancing the solar energy transition
Since commissioning in 2010, the photovoltaic plant has produced more than 18 GWh of renewable electricity, supporting pumping operations of up to 7,000 litres per second. With Trinasolar’s new modules, the modernised facility will continue to integrate solar power into one of Europe’s most energy‑intensive water systems, which consumes over 511 GWh a year. (hcn)
