French renewables developer Qair has begun construction of the Castellammare solar project, a 24.2 MWp photovoltaic plant located in Sicily, Italy.

The milestone marks a new step in the company's development in one of its key European markets.

EPC and financing agreements underpin the build

The construction start follows the signing of an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract with SIREOS and a financing agreement with Crédit Agricole.

The Commercial Operation Date (COD) for the plant is expected in July 2027. According to Qair, Castellammare represents a tangible advancement in Italy's renewable energy capacity.

Italy holds a central place in Qair's European portfolio

Qair's portfolio in Italy comprises 1.5 GW of wind, solar, and renewable hydrogen projects, alongside an advanced pipeline of 2.3 GWh of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects, which the company says are intended to address grid congestion challenges.

The company describes the Castellammare project as an example of its ability to transform Italy's renewable potential into tangible production capacity, reinforcing the country's energy sovereignty. The agreement also marks a further step in Qair's strategy to focus on Europe and its core markets, delivering results in line with its roadmap.

Charles Lhermitte, Chief Operating Officer at Qair Group, said, "Launching Castellammare is an important milestone in the execution of our strategy in Europe. Italy is one of our key markets, and this project demonstrates our ability to deliver on our commitments."

Qair's track record in Italy since 2019

Qair has been operating in Italy since 2019, with offices in Potenza and Milan. The company currently operates a 12.5 MW wind farm in Garessio, in the Piedmont region, and a 9 MW solar power plant in Marrubiu, Sardinia.

Building on these assets, Qair is expanding its Italian portfolio with new projects under development, including a 54 MW solar power plant in Montalto di Castro, in the Lazio region.

Through its growing presence in the country, Qair states it aims to be a long-term partner in Italy's energy transition, supporting regional development and promoting innovation, sustainability, and the creation of local value.

Group-wide footprint

Qair is an independent renewable energy company that develops, finances, builds, and operates solar, wind, storage, and green hydrogen production assets. The group currently has 1.7 GW of operational capacity and more than 1 GW under construction or in financing.

With a workforce of 800 employees, Qair is developing an additional 28 GW pipeline across 20 countries in Europe, Latin America, and Africa. The company states its ambition is to become an independent leader in responsible energy.

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