Green Energy: Elettra lays the foundation stone for its new photovoltaic park

On 11 September, at Cava Scoria, Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste officially launched the implementation phase of Green Energy, a project combining renewable energy production, scientific research and the environmental restoration of a former quarry area located between Trieste and San Dorligo della Valle – Dolina.

The symbolic foundation-stone ceremony was attended by Massimiliano Fedriga, President of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia; Marco Mancini, Secretary General of the Italian Ministry of University and Research, representing Minister Anna Maria Bernini; Giovanni Comelli, President and CEO of Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste; Roberto Dipiazza, Mayor of Trieste; and Aleksander Coretti, Mayor of San Dorligo della Valle – Dolina. They were joined by around 200 guests, including representatives of national, regional and local institutions, the scientific community, universities and research organisations, as well as professionals and stakeholders who contributed to the administrative, technical and planning process leading to the project’s implementation.

With a total investment of €26.5 million, Green Energy will feature an 8.8 MWp photovoltaic plant comprising nearly 13,000 high-efficiency bifacial modules. The plant is expected to generate more than 11,600 MWh per year, covering approximately 25% of Elettra’s energy needs and contributing to the sustainability and resilience of the Centre’s scientific infrastructures. 

Green Energy will also serve as an open-air research laboratory. Advanced monitoring systems will make it possible to study the performance of photovoltaic technologies under different operating conditions and to develop experimental activities in collaboration with universities, research centres and industry.

The project also includes a major environmental restoration programme for Cava Scoria, with the renaturalisation of the area and approximately 8,000 new plantings, as well as the creation of a Visitor Centre and the Elettra Viewpoint, designed to open this renewed space to the public and create new opportunities for learning about the project and the surrounding area.

Later that afternoon, Green Energy was also presented to Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste employees, who were invited to visit the Cava Scoria site and learn more about the project.