Canadian Solar Signs Two 10-Yr PPA with Axpo Italia

Canadian Solar Inc. announced it has signed two 10-year power purchase agreements (PPA) with Axpo Italia for the purchase of 70% of energy produced by two solar power plants under development totaling 84 MWp.

Axpo Italia is one of the largest market operators in the free energy market in Italy and a highly reliable and bankable renewables generator counterparty.

The two solar projects of 33 MWp and 51 MWp are located in the central Lazian city of Viterbo, and the western Sicilian city of Trapani, respectively. Canadian Solar is developing both projects, which are planned to start construction before 2023.

Axpo Italia will purchase the projects' clean solar electricity after they reach commercial operation in January 2024. Once in operation, the projects are expected to generate approximately 156 GWh of clean energy annually, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 61,000 households or displacing 48,500 tons of CO2 emissions.

"We are pleased to sign our second and third PPA with our partner Axpo Italia, becoming the largest solar developer in the country based on contracted volume," said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar. "The growth of renewable energy in Italy is critical to achieving the country's decarbonization and energy security objectives. We will continue to step up in our leadership role as we continue to grow our pipeline of clean energy projects in Europe."

"For us at Axpo, it is essential to continue supporting the expansion and enhancement of long-term agreements (PPAs) for the production and distribution of energy from renewable sources," remarked Simone Demarchi, CEO of Axpo Italia.