Pope orders construction of agrivoltaic plant for the Vatican

By Christopher Wells

Highlighting the need “to make a transition to a sustainable development model that reduces greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, setting the goal of climate neutrality,” Pope Francis has ordered the construction of an agrivoltaic plant within the extraterritorial zone of Santa Maria di Galeria.

Agrivoltaics involves the dual use of land for solar energy production and agriculture. As the Holy Father explains in the new Apostolic Letter Fratello Sole (“Brother Sun”), “Mankind has the technological means to deal with this environmental transformation and its pernicious ethical, social, economic and political consequences; and among these, solar energy plays a key role.”

Responding to the challenges of climate change

In Fratello Sole, Pope Francis roots the decision to embrace solar power in his own invitation "to all mankind," in the encyclical Laudato sí, to make lifestyle changes to counter global warming and the “pervasive” use of fossil fuels.

He goes on to recall the Holy See’s accession, in 2022, to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, signaling the his intention “to contribute to the efforts of all states to offer, in accordance with their respective responsibilities and capacities, an adequate response to the challenges posed to humanity and our common home by climate change.”

Providing energy for Vatican City State

The agrivoltaic plant will make use of the Holy See’s property at Santa Maria di Galeria. Located on the edge of Rome, the 424-hectare site houses the transmission facilities for Vatican Radio, thanks to a 1951 agreement between the Holy See and the Italian State. The new plant is intended to supply the energy needs of Vatican Radio and contribute to “the complete energy sustenance of Vatican City State.”

The construction of the agrivoltaic plant has been entrusted to the President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, Cardinal Fernando Véregez Alzaga, LC; and the President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti, SDB. With the motu proprio, the Holy Father has appointed the two prelates as “Extraordinary Commissioners” with full powers to bring the scheme to completion, while also empowering them to communicate with the Italian government, in accordance with the Lateran Treaty, concerning the works that will be undertaken on the site.

Finally, Pope Francis directs the Vatican’s Secretariat of State to facilitate “every request of the Extraordinary Commissioners and work to ensure that in that territory nothing is lost of what has been available to the Apostolic See thus far.”