Italy Poised to Lead Offshore Solar Expansion

Italy is on track to become a leader in offshore solar energy, with the potential to install up to 1 GW of capacity in the next five years. This amount of energy could power approximately half a million households annually, according to a recent position paper by the Italian Association of Offshore Renewable Energy (AERO).

The report, released by SolarinBlue, emphasizes the role of offshore floating photovoltaic (OFPV) technology in decarbonizing maritime industries. It also addresses challenges in regulation, financing, and scalability that need to be overcome for the industry to flourish.

Described as “a first of its kind as a complete, concrete, and comprehensive analysis of the current state of the art in the industry,” the report presents OFPV as a complementary technology to offshore wind, improving energy stability and reducing grid intermittency.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the promising outlook for offshore solar in Italy, the report highlights the need for regulatory clarity and adapted financial incentives to scale the technology. While several developer initiatives are already underway, the lack of appropriate planning policies poses a challenge for the industry’s growth.

According to AERO, national agreements defining the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning are crucial for the development of offshore renewable technologies in Italy. Accelerating the negotiation process for Italy’s EEZ boundaries will provide a clearer authorization regime for projects developed in international waters.

Driving the Blue Economy

AERO also emphasizes the potential synergies between offshore solar, ports, aquaculture, and tourism, positioning OFPV as a key driver for the blue economy. The report calls for stronger policy support, clearer regulatory frameworks, and financial mechanisms to accelerate the deployment of offshore solar technologies.

“The AERO report is a strong signal for the industry – now is the time to act and scale offshore solar,” said SolarinBlue.