Eni aims to build 420 MW renewable energy generation projects in Italy, Pakistan and Egypt

Rome-based gas and oil company Eni has made new and important progress in its commitment to combatting climate change, creating an original model of integration between its traditional business and energy from renewable sources.  The company has announced to build up to 420MW of renewable plant in three countries.

New renewable energy generation projects will be implemented in the vicinity of Eni’s plants and areas of operation in Italy, Pakistan and Egypt.

The company in a statement said “it is a new model of virtuous reuse of abandoned industrial areas, reclaimed or not used, which are re-launched through the implementation of energy generation plants with zero emissions.”

In Italy, Eni intends to team up with Syndial for the project, called Progetto Italia, it involves the revival of sites through large-scale initiatives and investment in projects for the production of zero-emission energy.

As part of Progetto Italia, Eni has identified preliminarily 400 hectares of land in six regions (Liguria, Sardinia, Sicily, Calabria, Puglia and Basilicata). The plan includes two phases: the first phase relates to the development of five projects, located in Assemini, Porto Torres, Manfredonia, Priolo and Augusta, with a total installed power of around 70 megawatts; the second phase is based on the development of other projects to obtain a further installed power of about 150 megawatts.

Eni notes that most of the initiatives will be photovoltaic, but there will also be room for other technologies such as biomass and concentrated solar power. Overall, Progetto Italia will involve the installation, by 2022, of over 220 megawatts of new capacity for an investment between 200 and 250 million euro. The project Progetto Italia will reduce CO2 emissions by about 180,000 tons per year.

In Pakistan, Eni intends to develop a 50 megawatt solar plant near the Kadanwari gas field. The energy produced will be sold through the Pakistani national grid. The company expects to open the plant by the end of 2017.

In Egypt, Eni aims to build a solar plant near the Belaiym field, with an installed capacity of up to 150 megawatts. The energy produced will be used both in the field and through the national grid. The goal is to be operated by the end of 2017.