Tiburtina Valley plans massive solar expansion on industrial rooftops

The Tiburtina Valley in Rome is set to undergo a significant energy transformation through the ‘Net Zero’ Masterplan, part of the European ‘Net Zero Districts’ program. Developed by Roma Capitale in collaboration with Unindustria, Acea, and Areti, the initiative aims to turn the industrial district into one of Europe’s most efficient production hubs by utilizing the rooftops of 77 industrial buildings for solar energy.

Currently, the area has only 10.5 MW of installed photovoltaic capacity. The plan seeks to expand this to over 156 MW, with the potential to produce nearly 200 GWh of energy annually. This capacity is estimated to be equivalent to the energy needs of approximately 150,000 homes, though the primary focus remains on supporting local ICT, aerospace, logistics, and advanced manufacturing firms. The project intends to integrate energy storage batteries, energy communities, and the RomeFlex platform to manage electricity supply and demand.

For local businesses, the transition could reduce energy costs by between 20% and 40%, with investments expected to be recouped within three to eight years. Beyond energy, the plan includes water management improvements, such as upgrading the Settecamini purification plant and promoting the reuse of treated industrial wastewater to reduce pressure on local aquifers.