Kelag International has acquired a 64.4MW agrivoltaics portfolio in Italy, deepening its push into southern Europe’s most active solar market. Both parties kept the purchase price confidential.
The Austrian firm confirmed it will manage the projects from construction through commercial operation. Buildout should unfold “over the coming years,” according to company statements.
Romeo Reichenhautilizer, who leads M&A at Kelag International, framed the deal as a natural extension of prior work with German renewables developer JUWI. “The transaction builds on our successful cooperation and reflects our focus on acquiring high-quality renewable energy assets with clear execution visibility,” he said.
Ingo Preiss, managing director of Kelag International, pointed to solar as a cornerstone of the company’s expansion strategy. He singled out Italy as a market with considerable room for additional renewable development. Kelag International operates as a subsidiary of Kelag Group, the Austrian energy utility.
The acquisition arrives at a moment when Italy stands out among European markets. Elevated power prices and continued government backing for standalone solar projects have made the country a priority destination for developers. Many neighboring markets have shifted attention toward storage and co-located assets instead.
Sebastjan Rozman, Italy country manager at Kelag International, emphasized the agrivoltaic component. “They reflect the kind of development we want to pursue: projects that are technically robust, commercially viable and developed with long-term sustainability and the local context in mind,” he said.
Agrivoltaics hold particular weight in Italy. Public auctions supporting dual-use solar on agricultural land have driven significant project volume. Meanwhile, zoning restrictions around “suitable areas” have made combined farming and solar designs necessary in some regions.
Policy friction surfaced in 2024 when the government attempted to ban PV installations on agricultural land. An Italian court partially overturned that move in 2025, restoring momentum for agrivoltaic development. As a result, portfolios like Kelag’s face a regulatory landscape that remains complex but increasingly workable.
