The Vatican has announced plans to construct an 80‑90 megawatt agrivoltaic solar plant at the Santa Maria di Galeria estate on Rome’s northwestern outskirts, with an estimated cost of roughly €100 million and a projected completion time of 18 to 24 months, according to sources involved in the discussions.

The Holy See, the world’s smallest country by area and population, would use the plant to power its radio transmission facilities and achieve energy self‑sufficiency; any surplus electricity would be supplied to Italy. The site, which has hosted Vatican Radio antennas since the 1950s, covers about 450 hectares and will allocate roughly 200 hectares for solar panel tracking, nearly half of the total area.

The agrivoltaic system will mount solar panels several metres above the ground, allowing crops to grow beneath them while reducing evaporation and protecting plants from extreme weather. The project aligns with a bilateral agreement between Italy and Vatican City that grants the Vatican Radio facilities tax exemptions and special status, and it reflects the climate priorities of Pope Francis, who endorsed the scientific consensus on climate change, and Pope Leo XIV, who has supported the initiative. Contracts for the work are expected to be tendered in the coming weeks, and the plant could meet all of the Holy See’s electricity demand once completed.

The timeline and cost remain subject to final approvals and tender outcomes, and the Vatican has not responded to requests for comment.