Italy adds 1.74 GW during Jan-Oct, reaches record 12 GWh of energy storage

Italian grid operator Terna, in its monthly electricity demand update for November 2024, revealed the country added 1.74 GW of energy storage systems between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2024.

Publishing storage system data for the first time, Terna reported Italy had around 707,000 installations at the end of October, corresponding to 11,783 MWh of capacity and 5,186 MW of nominal power, of which 864 MW was in the form of utility-scale energy storage sites.

Amid the rise in storage systems during that period, 616 MW concerned high and very high voltage facilities.

For the ten-month period, Terna also reported operational renewables generation capacity rose 6,042 MW, including 5,482 MW of solar. That figure was a third higher (1,489 MW more) than in the same period of 2023 and also more than the 5.8 GW installed across all of 2023.

On Oct. 31, 2024, Terna reported, Italy had 38.8 GW of solar capacity and 12.9 GW of wind among a total renewables fleet of 75.2 GW in the hydro-dependent nation.

Comparing the new clean power generation projects with the national target set for areas identified by ministerial decree as suitable for expedited renewables project permitting, Terna indicated the 16,108 MW target for 2024 had been achieved two months early as 16,238 MW of renewables had been installed in such “suitable areas.”

Lazio installed 623 MW more than had been anticipated by the end of October, followed by Lombardy, with 459 MW extra; and Veneto, with a 284 MW surplus. Suitable areas in Puglia had attracted 327 MW less renewables capacity than anticipated for the first 10 months of 2024; Sardinia fell short by 168 MW; Basilicata underachieved by 129 MW; and Sicily was 21 MW behind.

From pv magazine Italia.