Vatican plans to fully switch to its own solar energy

An illustrative image of an agrivoltaic solar power plant. Photo: UOJ

On August 22, 2026, the Vatican announced plans to build a solar power plant capable of fully supplying the state with its own electricity, reports Reuters.

The power plant is planned to be located on Vatican-owned land at Santa Maria di Galeria near Rome. Its capacity may reach 80–90 megawatts, and the project's cost is estimated at approximately 100 million euros.

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Solar panels will be installed over agricultural plots so that the land can be used simultaneously for electricity generation and crop cultivation. Construction, together with the necessary administrative procedures, may take between 18 and 24 months.

The power plant is intended to supply energy to the Vatican, the Vatican Radio transmission complex, and a number of facilities associated with the Holy See. Surplus electricity generated is planned to be fed into Italy's power grid. Tenders for the work are expected within the coming weeks.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the first data center powered by human neurons was launched in Singapore.

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