VSB Secures Approval for Large-Scale Solar Project in Sicily
Potenza (Italy) / Dresden – VSB Italy has received regional approval for a solar park in Sicily. The large-scale project is scheduled to be built from 2027 onwards and, once completed, is expected to cover the electricity demand of around 13,000 households.
36 MW solar park to supply electricity for 13,000 households from 2028
VSB Italy has obtained the so-called Unified Regional Authorization (PAUR) for a new photovoltaic project in Sicily. The project site is located in the Passaneto area in the municipality of Francofonte and covers a total area of around 64 hectares. Of this, approximately 46.5 hectares will be used for the solar installation.
The planned photovoltaic plant will have an installed capacity of 36 MW. According to VSB, once operational at the end of 2028, the solar park is expected to generate enough electricity to cover the annual consumption of around 13,000 households. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027.
According to the company, the project has been developed with consideration of local environmental requirements. Planned measures include open areas beneath the modules to promote natural vegetation. VSB also plans wildlife corridors and additional planting of native species to support the ecological integration of the facility.
Economically, the company also expects positive impacts for the region. Both direct and indirect employment effects are anticipated during construction and operation.
Dr. Miroslav Ilijevski, Managing Director of VSB Italy, described the approval as an important milestone for VSB Italy and a further contribution to the country’s decarbonization goals. The project combines “the generation of clean energy, respect for the local context, and long-term value for the territory and its communities.”
VSB advances renewable energy project pipeline in Europe
With the solar project in Sicily, the VSB Group underscores its strategic focus on expanding renewable energy across Europe. The company, headquartered in Dresden and part of TotalEnergies since 2025, is a vertically integrated developer in the wind energy, photovoltaic, and battery storage sectors.
The group is currently active in six European countries and reports a project pipeline of more than 20 GW. In addition to developing wind and solar parks, VSB is also expanding its operations and maintenance business and its own power generation assets.
"Projects like this underline our commitment to accelerating Europe’s energy transition with high-quality, sustainable solutions,” said CEO Dr. Felix Grolman, commenting on the new project. He also highlighted the importance of the Italian subsidiary for the long-term development of the group in Europe.
Italy continues expanding photovoltaic capacity
Italy is one of the most important solar markets in Europe. According to data from grid operator Terna, installed solar capacity reached almost 45 GW at the end of March 2026. Since the beginning of the year, more than 1.4 GW of new photovoltaic capacity has been added nationwide. The expansion is distributed across the three main market segments: utility-scale ground-mounted systems, rooftop systems, and commercial installations. Overall, the trend confirms the continued growth of photovoltaics in Italy.
Source: IWR Online, 15 May 2026
