A2A, together with Fondazione Fiera Milano and Fiera Milano celebrated a few days ago the commissioning of the largest and most powerful rooftop photovoltaic system in Italy.
At a crucial moment for the energy transition, in which fossil fuels have reached historic lows and renewables have only begun to show their potential, but where the creation of new plants seems to tend to be hindered, the initiative of A2A and Fiera Milano is certainly noteworthy.
The project, which has its roots in 2018 with the birth of Fair Renew (joint venture between A2a and Fondazione Fiera), led to the creation of a plant from 21.6 GW of power, with 18 MW of peak.
The partnership plans both to use the energy produced to (partly) fuel the consumption of the exhibition center during the events, and to give in to the network any surplus generated.
According to estimates, the plant will avoid the release of almost 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, “equal to the CO₂ produced by 10,000 cars in a year” added Renato Mazzoncini, CEO of A2A.
THE RHO FIERA MILANO SYSTEM IN NUMBERS
The surface area occupied by the new Fair Renew plant is large “like 45 football fields” and it matters 50,000 solar panels: as anticipated in the introduction, the total power is equal to 21.6 GW, with 18 MWp.
The solar modules have been installed since 2020 on the roofs of the pavilions of some warehouses and on the car park shelters; in 2022 the first part was delivered, 12 sections covering an area of 200 thousand m2, with a power of 8.2 MWp and an annual energy production of approximately 10 GWh.
The second phase, which started in 2023 and ended in February 2024, created another 5 sections of 60 thousand m2 with 4 MWp of power and 5 GWh of production; finally, the third phase (February-May 2024) added the last 4 sections (5.8 MWp of power and 7 GWh of production).
The Italian plant, which is close to 22 GWh of annual production (21.6 GWh) it is the first in terms of performance among those of the European exhibition centres; in second place we find that of Barcelona (5.9 GWh), followed by Stuttgart (4.3) and finally Munich (2.7).
Francesco Conci, CEO and general director of Fiera Milano, commented:
This photovoltaic system represents one of the most important points of the new integrated sustainability plan 2024-2027. We consider sustainability as a fundamental element of our development strategy to attract and host large traveling events and we strongly believe that it can be a competitive advantage and a key factor in driving business growth”. The electricity used by Fiera Milano Congressi for the Allianz MiCo Congress Center has been 100% renewable (with certified guarantee of origin) since 2020, when – as mentioned – the construction work on the Rho Fiera plant began.
“NOT JUST A DUTY, BUT AN OPPORTUNITY”
Attilio Fontana also participated in the inauguration ceremony.
The President of the Lombardy Region (the region that holds the record for installed photovoltaic power) seized the opportunity to draw general attention on the importance to consider sustainability and investments such as that of A2A and Fiera Milano “not just as a duty, but as an opportunity”declaring:
In Lombardy, great agreements and synergies are always made between the excellences of the territory, as demonstrated by this project, which goes in the direction of sustainability which we are in favor of, because they demonstrate how the environment, economy and society can come together. Furthermore, by doing so we avoid any controversies regarding the occupation of agricultural land.
Emiliana Brognoli, Rhodes councilor for Innovation and Smart City commented:
“[Il progetto di Rho Fiera Milano] it is concrete, a promise of innovation and progress before everyone’s eyes, which qualifies and transforms a territory that is increasingly becoming a district thanks to Fiera Milano and Mind”.
Enrico Pazzali, President of the Fiera Milano Foundation, added:
The system we are presenting today confirms the Foundation’s role as a proactive shareholder in making Fiera Milano increasingly competitive and sustainable with the modernization of its structures also through new business opportunities, as in the case of the adaptation of the pavilions in view of the Olympic Games and 2026 Winter Paralympics… This project is an important technological milestone for the development of renewables and a confirmation of A2A’s key role in favor of the country’s energy transition. An infrastructure in line with the strategy of our Industrial Plan to 2035, which provides investments amounting to 22 billion euros also intended for the development and strengthening of networks, essential for accompanying our cities on the path towards decarbonisation. The Fiera Milano facility, currently unique in Italy, constitutes a replicable model for urban transformation. We will continue to work to face the challenges of the future, consolidating our commitment to the renewable energy sector.
Finally, Francesco Conci:
Sustainability today becomes a qualifying criterion for attracting and hosting large traveling events and we strongly believe that it can be a competitive advantage and a key factor in driving business growth. The integrated sustainability plan presented last month incorporates 30 quantitative objectives. Among these, we have set ourselves the goal of increasing the percentage of electricity from renewable sources from 38% to 70%. Furthermore, as already anticipated in the 2024-2027 strategic plan, we are working on a new event dedicated to technologies for the decarbonisation of industrial processes.
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(Cover photo, the photovoltaic system of Fiera Milano, credits to solarb2b)
