• Cero Generation’s 48 MWp Castrum solar PV project in Montalto di Castro, Italy has entered operation.
• The project benefits from a subsidy-free Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Centrica.
Cero Generation (Cero) has announced that Castrum, its 48 MWp solar PV project in Montalto di Castro, Italy, is operational.
Located on 86 hectares of land, Castrum consists of over 88,000 bifacial modules mounted on single-axis trackers which enables the solar panels to make the most of the angle of the sun.
The project is underpinned by a long-term, subsidy-free private power purchase agreement (PPA) with international energy and services company, Centrica Energy.
The Castrum project has been designed to maintain agricultural productivity across the site, with solar modules installed in a way that supports ongoing land cultivation. It also includes dedicated environmental mitigation measures, such as tree planting, underscoring the project’s commitment to sustainability and biodiversity. The project is expected to generate c90.000 MWh of renewable energy per year, enough to power 34,701 homes and avoid 30,929 tonnes of CO2e emissions annually.
Marta Martinez Queimadelos, CEO of Cero Generation, said: “We are proud to have delivered this major solar project in Italy, which not only generates clean, affordable energy but also pioneers a more sustainable approach to land use. Castrum demonstrates the potential of agrivoltaics—enabling renewable energy generation and agricultural activity to thrive side by side.”
Cassim Mangerah, Managing Director for Centrica Energy, added: “It has been a pleasure working with Cero Generation on this PPA for Castrum. This milestone further strengthens Centrica’s presence in Southern Europe and aligns with our mission to support the development of sustainable energy systems and provide the market-based solutions needed to achieve net zero.”
Notes to editors
Media enquiries contact: Charlie.Geller@cerogeneration.com
About Cero Generation
Cero Generation is a leading IPP, specialised in developing, constructing and operating solar energy and battery storage projects, accelerating the delivery of a net-zero future across Europe.
Powered by an experienced team that brings world-class industry, commercial, engineering and environmental expertise to its projects, Cero is active through every stage of the lifecycle, from planning and construction to operation. It works closely with local development partners, suppliers and stakeholders to deliver high-impact projects that positively benefit the environment and community.
Cero Generation is a Macquarie Asset Management portfolio company, operating on a stand-alone basis.
About Centrica Energy
Centrica Energy is the trading and optimisation arm of Centrica plc, operating out of eight offices across all time zones to move energy from source to use. We are a leading provider of energy management and optimisation services to business, in addition to managing commodity risk and providing wholesale market access for the Centrica group.
We have 16.7 GW of capacity under contract in Europe of which approximately 80% is renewable assets. Our mission is to drive the green transition while offering sustainable and predictable energy costs for suppliers and offtakers. In short, we call ourselves energy movers by nature.
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