Norway’s state-owned energy utility Statkraft will construct a 3.3 megawatt (MW) PV solar power plant costing €13m in the Italian Latina-region, 60 kilometers South of Rome.

It is the first step into solar for Statkraft, which has its primary strength in hydropower, but also develops other renewable projects.

The plant in Italy will generate 4.5 million kwh annually, and cover an area just under 96 000 square meters. It will be completed this year with Sharp or Suntech delivering the 15,700 solar panels required.

"The construction of our first solar park is an important milestone in our work to meet the world's need for pure energy. Solar power is a new energy source for us, and we expect it to grow in the years ahead due to technological developments, cost reductions and favourable framework conditions," says executive vice president Jon Brandsar of Statkraft.

Construction work will commence before the summer. When the facility is completed, it will generate enough energy to supply 1,200 Italian households.

Since 2007, Statkraft has co-operated with Norsk Solenergi to develop Italian projects through joint ventures. Norsk Solenergi decided to divest in May, and Statkraft now fully owns the Casale and Borgo projects.

"Italy is presently one of the most attractive solar energy markets in Europe. We are also looking at options in Spain and south east Europe in order to reach our goal of 75MW of solar power by 2012," says Olav Hetland, senior vice president of Statkraft’s solar power business unit.

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