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Market Chatter: Vatican Plans $117 Million Agrivoltaic Plant to Become Energy Self-Sufficient

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The Vatican is set to build a 100 million euro ($117 million) renewable energy plant, which will power the tiny sovereign state within the next two years, according to a Reuters report, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The agrivoltaic system, which combines solar generation with agriculture by mounting panels several meters above the ground to allow crops to grow beneath them, is expected to have a capacity of 80 to 90 megawatts, making it one of the largest installations of its kind in Italy.

The system also helps provide shade to the crops, reducing evaporative water loss, while shielding them from extreme weather.

The project is planned for the Vatican-owned Santa Maria di Galeria estate on the northwestern outskirts of Rome, with plans to cover 200 hectares, or nearly half of the 450-hectare estate, with solar panels, according to one of the sources.

Within two years, the city-state expects to become fully self-sufficient in energy, while also powering the Vatican Radio's transmission station and other Holy See-linked properties, with the surplus being sold to Italy.

The report also noted that the project was a priority of the late Pope Francis, the first pontiff to accept the scientific consensus on climate, and has been endorsed by the current head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV.

The Vatican did not immediately respond to' request for a comment on this story.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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