Introduction
Milan, the capital of the Lombardy region, northern Italy, a city grappling with severe air pollution due to vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and its location in the pollution-trapping Po Valley, has embarked on numerous projects to enhance its green infrastructure and livability.
Projects have included the transformation of an area next to the Garibaldi Station, with semi-circular skyscrapers around Piazza Gae Aulenti [1], of which the UniCredit Bank tower is the tallest in Italy with 231 m (758 ft). The area also includes the “Library of Trees” botanic garden and park.
The former “old” Milan fairgrounds have been converted into the CityLife district, its spectacular “Three Towers” with their breathtaking architecture and extensive parks.[2]
The city has revitalized its canals (“Navigli”), originating from Roman and medieval times, and is now planning to re-open canals that had been covered by streets or buildings in the last century.[3][4] Inner-city traffic is limited via the so-called “Area C”, and the metro network has recently been expanded by Line 4, currently operating between the city center and Linate Airport.
Having hosted the 2015 Expo with the theme “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”, Milan demonstrated its commitment to sustainability and innovation.[5]
Project Overview
A landmark project has emerged: the inauguration of Italy’s largest photovoltaic (PV) plant at the Fiera Milano in Rho in May 2024. This plant is not only the largest in Italy but also ranks among the top ten largest PV plants globally in terms of its power capacity. Spanning an area equivalent to 45 soccer fields, this ambitious project signifies a major step forward in Italy’s renewable energy efforts. It aims to supply sustainable energy to the Fiera Milano exhibition center, thus supporting large-scale events and advancing the city’s decarbonization goals.[6][7]
The construction of this massive PV plant was a collaborative effort between the A2A group and Fondazione Fiera Milano.[8][9] These entities formed a new company, Fair Renew, established in July 2018. The goal was to create a solar power system capable of supplying the large energy demands of the Fiera Milano exhibition complex. The plant’s design and construction took several years, with the initial concept dating back to 2020, culminating in the plant’s opening in 2024.[10][11]
Technical Specification and Comparative Analysis
The PV plant at Fiera Milano consists of approximately 50,000 photovoltaic panels, spread over 330,000 square meters (3,55 Mio sqft) of hall roofing. This vast infrastructure is designed to produce an estimated 21.6 GWh of energy annually, sufficient to power around 7,800 households. By generating this amount of green energy, the plant will prevent the emission of more than 9,800 tons of CO2 each year. The total installed capacity of the system is 18 MWp, making it a significant contributor to the exhibition center’s energy needs while also feeding surplus energy into the local grid.[10][12]
Construction of the plant began in 2020 and was completed in three distinct phases. The first phase, delivered in April 2022, covered 12 sections with an area of 200,000 square meters (2.15 Mio sqft), producing 8.2 MWp and generating approximately 10 GWh of energy annually. The second phase, completed in February 2023, added another 5 sections covering 60,000 square meters (646,000 sqft), with an output of 4 MWp and 5 GWh of energy. The final phase saw the addition of 4 more sections, contributing 5.8 MWp and 7 GWh of energy, marking the completion of the entire project.[10]
When compared to similar facilities in Europe, the Fiera Milano PV plant stands out in terms of efficiency and capacity. Its annual production of approximately 22 GWh surpasses that of Barcelona (5.9 GWh), Stuttgart (4.3 GWh), and Munich (2.7 GWh) fairgrounds. This distinction not only highlights the plant’s superior performance but also underscores Gruppo Fiera Milano’s commitment to sustainability and energy transition.[12]
Strategic Importance
Fiera Milano’s new PV plant plays a crucial role in the energy management of significant future events, including the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The facility’s energy management capabilities will support the infrastructure for various Olympic events, such as Hockey competitions taking place in Pavilions 22 and 24 at Fiera Milano-Rho.[13][14]
According to Enrico Pazzali, president of Fondazione Fiera Milano, the use of renewable energy sources is vital for positioning Italy as a leader in sustainability. He emphasized that the plant’s operation is aligned with global trends toward renewable energy adoption and represents a critical investment in the region’s future.[10][12]
Conclusion
The inauguration of the largest PV plant in Italy at Fiera Milano marks a historic advancement in the country’s renewable energy sector. By supporting major events and contributing to Milan’s energy grid, the plant exemplifies the synergy between technological innovation and environmental responsibility. As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, projects like the Fiera Milano PV plant are crucial in demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of large-scale renewable energy installations.
Sources:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_Gae_Aulenti
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CityLife_(Milan)
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navigli
[4] https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210208-milan-italys-lost-city-of-canals [5]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_2015
[6] Corriere della Sera, “L’impianto più grande d’Italia per dare energia alla Fiera di Rho,” May 17, 2024.
[7] https://www.fieramilano.it
[8] https://www.a2a.eu
[9] https://www.fondazionefieramilano.it
[10] https://www.fondazionefieramilano.it/en/news-events/italy-s-largest-rooftop-photovoltaic-system-installed-on-the-halls-of-fiera-milano.html
[11] https://www.fondazionefieramilano.it/en/news-events/Nine_groups_for_the_redevelopment.html
[12] https://www.fondazionefieramilano.it/en/index.htm
[13] https://www.milanocortina2026.org
[14] https://www.fondazionefieramilano.it/en/news-events/milano-cortina-2026-the-venue-for-the-hockey-2-competition-is-the-milano-rho-exhibition-centre.html
