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GDS SOLE Italy is carrying out several photovoltaic projects that are expected to receive their final authorization soon. Among these are Manduria 7 and Manduria 8 in Puglia, and Mezzolara in Emilia-Romagna, which represent significant initiatives for the transition to more sustainable energy production.

 

 Manduria 7: A Cutting-Edge Photovoltaic Plant

The Manduria 7 project involves the construction of a ground-mounted photovoltaic plant with single-axis solar tracking structures. The plant will have a total capacity of 11,888.64 kWp, and the related works for connection to the electrical grid will be located in the municipalities of Manduria (TA), Erchie (BR), and Avetrana (TA). The project area is considered suitable according to Legislative Decree No. 199 of November 8, 2021, Art. 20, Paragraph 8, Letter c), which states that areas considered suitable for photovoltaic installations may include, among others, those “in conditions of environmental degradation, or portions of quarries and mines not susceptible to further exploitation.” This allows the project to benefit from a simplified authorization process, speeding up the start of the plant.

 

Manduria 8: Another Step Toward Sustainability

The Manduria 8 project follows a similar approach to Manduria 7, with a nominal capacity of 7,770.96 kWp. Once again, the plant will be built with single-axis solar tracking structures in the municipality of Manduria (TA), with connection to the local electrical grid. Furthermore, this plant has also benefited from the “Simplified Authorization Procedure” (PAS), which accelerates the approval process, thanks to the classification of the area as suitable for ground-mounted photovoltaic plants, as outlined by Legislative Decree No. 199/2021. The plant site is located within a 500-meter buffer zone from two industrial plants, a requirement that eases the authorization process.

 

Mezzolara: A Photovoltaic Plant in Emilia-Romagna

Mezzolara is another important photovoltaic project, located in the municipality of Budrio, in the province of Bologna. The project is developed on two separate lots: Mezzolara 1 (11.87 ha) and Mezzolara 2 (13.50 ha), both characterized by good accessibility and favorable solar exposure, with flat terrain and an elevation ranging from 9 to 10 meters above sea level. The design took into account the overlap of urban planning tools to identify the most suitable areas for the future plants, with a suitable surface area of 6.55 ha for Mezzolara 1 and 9.20 ha for Mezzolara 2. Both lots are within a 500-meter buffer zone from an existing wastewater treatment plant.

 

Other Projects in the Preliminary Stage

In addition to the Manduria 7, Manduria 8, and Mezzolara projects, there are several other photovoltaic plants under development, both in Puglia and in other regions of Italy. Many of these are in the preliminary design stage or in the process of evaluating the necessary authorizations. The common goal of these projects is to grow GDS SOLE Italy, increasing renewable energy production and contributing to achieving national and European decarbonization goals.

 

In particular, the rural areas of Puglia and Emilia-Romagna are among the most promising for the installation of photovoltaic plants, thanks to the availability of large tracts of land and good solar radiation. These projects will help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, while stimulating the local economy and creating direct and indirect employment opportunities.