Italy: Local opposition grows against BESS energy storage projects

Local authorities and citizen committees in Italy are opposing the installation of large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in different regions.

In Casalgrande, the municipal administration has expressed strong opposition to a proposed BESS plant in Salvaterra by Atlas Storage 8 Srl. The project, which would cover approximately 4.4 hectares of agricultural land, involves a system with an operational power of 225 MW. The installation would include 192 lithium-iron-phosphate battery cabinets and various auxiliary containers. The municipality has submitted technical evaluations to the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, contesting the project's scale and its placement on agricultural soil.

In Forlì, the Committee of Poggio, Malmissole, and Durazzanino is fighting a 100 MW BESS project proposed by RNE19 Srl. The committee has filed a technical and legal opposition, citing environmental, hydraulic, seismic, and safety risks. Specifically, experts noted that the area is prone to flooding and that the soil liquefaction safety factor falls below legal thresholds. Residents also expressed concerns regarding heavy vehicle traffic and the impact of five-meter-high industrial barriers on local property values.