Vatican Plans a Giant Solar Farm to Power the World's Smallest Country

The Vatican is planning to build a massive renewable energy plant that could power all of Vatican City within two years. The project will cost about €100 million — roughly $117 million — and will use a smart combination of solar panels and farming. It is expected to be one of the largest projects of its kind in all of Italy.

The plant will be built on a large piece of land called the Santa Maria di Galeria estate, which sits on the northwestern outskirts of Rome. That property belongs to the Vatican and covers about 450 hectares — an area much larger than Vatican City itself. The site has been home to Vatican Radio's broadcasting towers since the 1950s, and the new plant will help power those towers too.

The type of plant being built is called an agrivoltaic plant. In this kind of setup, solar panels are raised several meters above the ground so that crops can still grow underneath them. The shade from the panels actually helps by cutting down on evaporation and protecting plants from harsh weather.

The plant is expected to generate between 80 and 90 megawatts of electricity. That is enough power to make Vatican City completely energy self-sufficient, meaning it would no longer need to rely on outside sources for electricity. Any extra power produced would be sent to Italy's energy grid for others to use.

A joint commission made up of both Italian and Vatican officials met earlier this month to officially kick off the project. Sources close to the talks said the plant could be finished in 18 to 24 months, once all permits and paperwork are completed. Officials have not publicly shared exact details about the cost, timeline, or the plant's full capacity.

The power generated could also help other properties linked to the Holy See, including the Bambino Gesù children's hospital in Rome. Tracking solar panels — which move to follow the sun throughout the day — would cover about 200 hectares of the Santa Maria di Galeria site. That is nearly half of the total land area.

This clean energy project was very important to the late Pope Francis, who was the first pope to publicly support the scientific understanding of climate change. The current pope, Pope Leo XIV, has also given the project his full support. Contracts for the construction work are expected to go out to bid in the coming weeks.

The Vatican will not receive the same tax breaks that Italian households and businesses get when they install solar power. However, the agreement between Italy and the Vatican gives the project a special legal status, including exemptions from certain Italian taxes. Italy's law on the agreement also states that the project must not cost Italian taxpayers any extra money.

Vatican City is the world's smallest country, covering just 108 acres and home to fewer than 900 people. It serves as the headquarters of the global Catholic Church and is famous for landmarks like St. Peter's Basilica. This solar project marks a big step in the Vatican's efforts to become a leader in environmental responsibility.

This is not the Vatican's first move toward solar power. Back in 2008, under Pope Benedict XVI, two German companies donated more than 2,400 solar panels that were installed on top of the Nervi Hall, a building used for papal events and concerts. The new agrivoltaic plant, however, would be far larger and more powerful than anything the Vatican has attempted before.