Italy halts two major photovoltaic projects amid land protection concerns

Two separate large-scale photovoltaic projects in Italy have been halted following environmental and local opposition.

In Lombardy, the “Ranteghetta” solar project has been officially archived by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security. The decision follows the formal withdrawal of the proposal by the company, ending a lengthy administrative process involving the municipalities of Marcallo con Casone, Ossona, and Santo Stefano Ticino. Local administrations characterized the outcome as a victory for territorial protection achieved through technical evaluations and community engagement.

In Calabria, the regional Environment Department issued a negative opinion on a €45 million solar plant planned between Pizzo and Maierato. The project was criticized for its potential impact on hundreds of hectares of agricultural land, including areas producing high-quality crops like Grano Rosìa. In response to the incident, regional councilor Elisabetta Barbuto has proposed legislation to establish clearer criteria for renewable energy placement, prioritizing degraded areas like landfills and industrial rooftops over protected agricultural land.