According to the agreement, the two companies have started a close partnership to define and create pumped hydro projects in Pescopagano in Basilicata, and Villarosa in Sicily, developed by Edison.
The two pumped hydro projects are part of Edison’s strategy to grow renewable energy sources in Italy. It plans to take its installed green capacity to 5GW (from the current 2GW) by 2030. At the same time, it will create at least 500MW of storage.
The two initiatives will involve building new reservoirs and underground engineering works, as well as refurbishing existing reservoirs and infrastructure. The Pescopagano and Villarosa projects are awaiting approval from the Italian Environment and Energy Security Ministry.
“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,” said Edison CEO Nicola Monti.
Webuild is currently building Australia’s Snowy 2.0 pumped hydropower scheme and CEO Pietro Salini said it was ready to apply the expertise gained on the project.
“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,” he said.
