The partnership will focus on two pumped storage projects in Pescopagano, Basilicata, and Villarosa, Sicily. These initiatives are part of Edison’s strategy to increase its installed green capacity from 2GW to 5GW by 2030. The projects will store excess renewable energy, ensuring the stability of the electrical grid and reducing waste.
The projects will create new and improve existing reservoirs, making them safer and increasing their capacity. They are pending approval from the Italian Environment and Energy Security Ministry and regional authorities, with plans to participate in upcoming tenders organized by Terna for new storage capacity.
“Edison and Webuild are now back to develop the Italian hydroelectric supply chain together. This agreement will create the foundations to safely build the energy transition, limiting Italy’s exposure to depending for critical raw materials, while relaunching the development of a highly strategic chain, where we stand as champions in Europe, with clear benefits for the Italian economic development and the increase of the renewable energy within the network, in line with the de-carbonisation goals,” said Edison CEO Nicola Monti.
“The agreement with Edison aims at putting together the skills of two private Italian groups, global leaders in the energy and infrastructure sector, contributing to the energy transition journey, and contrasting drought in Italy, particularly in the southern regions. Creating virtuous systems of skill and resources with the entire production chain is key to creating the infrastructure works needed by Italy to remain competitive. Webuild is therefore ready to put its premium know-how that it has acquired by building complex and innovative projects, globally, like the pumped hydroelectric plant of Snowy 2.0 in Australia,” added Webuild CEO Pietro Salini.
The cooperation aims to optimize the pumped storage projects and attract significant private investment in southern Italy, estimated at €1.2 billion. This will benefit the local economy and the Italian civil and manufacturing sectors.
The Italian hydroelectric sector, including pumped storage hydropower, plays a crucial role in energy autonomy and economic development. It generates 28 billion euros in turnover, with 15 billion from exports, and has a commercial balance of 8 billion euros, making it a key asset for Italy in the EU.
According to the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC), storage systems are essential to achieve decarbonization goals. Italy aims to install over 10 GW of new storage systems by 2030, including 6GW in utility-scale projects like batteries and pumped hydro, primarily in southern Italy and the islands. These systems are vital for maintaining the security and stability of the electrical grid and increasing the share of renewable energy.
