Italy Approves Seven Major Battery Storage Projects in 2026 Energy Push

Italy's Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) has approved seven new battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. The facilities, greenlit in March 2026, will add a combined 467 MW of capacity to the national grid. This marks the first major wave of approvals since 2023, when no large-scale projects were authorised. The largest project, a 130 MW facility in Loreo, was awarded to EG Orchidea Srl. Another significant approval went to RNE20 Srl for a 100 MW BESS in Turin. Bess Arezzo Srl also secured permission for a 75 MW system in Arezzo.

Smaller but notable projects include SKI 38 Srl's 48 MW 'Accumulo Villa Castelli' in Villa Castelli and SKI B A2 Srl's 48 MW 'Accumulo Galatina' in Galatone. SKI B A3 Srl will develop a 42 MW BESS called 'Accumulo Montemilone' in Montemilone, while Aura IT 10 Srl received approval for a 24 MW facility in Pegognaga. The authorisations were issued in two stages. The first tranche cleared 165 MW of capacity, followed by a second approval of 302 MW in mid-March. Before these decisions, Italy had not approved any new BESS projects of at least 50 MW since 2023.

The seven approved projects will significantly expand Italy's energy storage infrastructure. With a total of 467 MW added, the facilities aim to enhance grid stability and renewable energy integration. No further large-scale BESS approvals have been announced since March 2026.