Italian Serie A football team Udinese Calcio has embarked on an innovative initiative to promote green energy alongside local utility Bluenergy Group, announcing plans to install solar panels on the roof of the club's stadium.
The project, currently underway, will see the installation of more than 2,400 solar panels, generating a daily average of 3,000 kilowatt hours (Kwh), according to a joint statement released by Udinese and Bluenergy. This solar array will help cover part of the stadium's energy needs.
Additionally, the partners are exploring the possibility of integrating a battery storage system to optimize the efficiency of the solar installation, with plans for the system to be operational by October.
“Football has an unparalleled presence in mass media, and, in addition to our own responsibility to act in a moral way, we have a duty to spread messages that encourage fans to come together in the fight against climate change,” remarked Udinese Calcio General Manager Franco Collavino.
Bluenergy, a family-owned utility, has been a proud partner of Udinese since 2018, supplying the club with energy sourced exclusively from renewable sources in recent years. Notably, the company recently secured naming rights to the stadium, further solidifying its commitment to sustainability.
Udinese Calcio stands out as one of the few Serie A clubs to own the stadium in which it plays, situated on the outskirts of Udine in north-east Italy.
Italy aims to significantly increase its reliance on renewable energy sources, with the energy ministry targeting nearly two-thirds of electricity generation from renewables by 2030, as outlined in its draft Plan for Energy and Climate released last June.
However, the expansion of solar and wind farms in Italy faces various challenges, including lengthy permit processes and resistance from local administrations and the public concerned about potential landscape and agricultural impacts. Despite these challenges, initiatives like the solar-powered stadium at Udinese demonstrate the nation's commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions.
