Korkia and Global Consulting Energy to Develop Solar and Agri-PV Projects in Italy

Korkia, a global investor in renewable energy, has formed a development company with Global Consulting Energy, a renewable energy developer focused on Southern Italy. Together, the companies aim to develop up to 1 GW of photovoltaic capacity, contributing to Italy’s ambitious targets for accelerating the green transition.

The partnership primarily focuses on the development of solar projects on greenfield and brownfield sites. Other initiatives for the partnership include the development of large Agri-PV plants on agricultural land in suitable areas. Agri-PV refers to the dual use of land for both solar photovoltaic power generation and agriculture. Installing solar panels on agricultural lands has many benefits. Panels create shading for the ground below, protecting crops from heat and allowing for significant water savings.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Global Consulting Energy’s exceptional local development team, renowned for their strong roots and successful track record within the Puglia region. We are particularly excited about the planned Agri-PV projects, which are Korkia’s first. As a key producer of food, Italy is at the forefront of the Agri-PV trend in Europe, and it has been estimated that around 1 GW of Agri-PV capacity will be installed by 2026,” Michael Sandberg, Country Manager at Korkia, comments on the partnership.

The first projects are expected to reach the ready-to-build (RTB) stage by the end of 2024. When ready, the projects will support Italy in its ambitious targets for accelerating the green transition. The state’s goal is to have more than 80 GW of renewable energy capacity in production by 2030.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Korkia, and to continue making a significant contribution to Italy’s renewable energy landscape. This collaboration reflects our commitment to a sustainable energy future. Together with Korkia, we are creating new opportunities in the renewable energy market. I am confident that together we can fully optimise the potential of Southern Italy’s rich solar resources,” states Flavio Frigione, CEO of Global Consulting Energy and Chairman of the Board of Directors at FFK Italy Renewables (name of the joined development company formed by Korkia and Global Consulting Energy).