FS Energy has brought into operation a new photovoltaic plant in the Foggia area, adding more than 6,600 solar panels capable of supplying clean energy directly to the railway traction network. Developed with the technical support of RFI and Italferr, the installation forms part of the FS Group’s wider strategy to increase renewable self-production and reduce reliance on Italy’s high-voltage grid.
The plant, which delivers a capacity of 3 MWp, has already generated 1.5 GWh of electricity — enough to power the equivalent of 80 train journeys between Lecce and Milan, or around 75,000 train-kilometres.
How the system works
The Foggia installation is connected to a railway electrical substation, which transforms and converts the high-voltage electricity into a form suitable for powering traction motors and on-board systems. By feeding renewable energy directly into the railway traction network, the plant supports more resilient and sustainable train operations while reducing conventional energy consumption.
Solar capacity expanding across Italy
The Foggia facility is the second photovoltaic plant launched by the FS Group for direct traction use, following the earlier activation of a 4.4 MWp installation in Padua. Together, the two sites can produce up to 50 MWh per day, equivalent to the energy required for five train journeys between Padua and Foggia.
Annual production from the Foggia and Padua plants is expected to reach 11 GWh, marking a significant early milestone in the FS Group’s green strategy. FS Energy is leading the programme, working to ensure a progressively more secure, stable and sustainable energy supply.
Further photovoltaic developments are planned in Puglia, with additional sites currently under definition.
Decarbonisation objectives
The new Foggia plant supports the FS Group’s broader target of expanding renewable energy generation to reduce dependence on Italy’s national transmission and distribution grids. As the country’s largest consumer of electricity — accounting for around 2% of national demand — FS aims to decarbonise its energy use through major investments in solar capacity.
The Group plans to install:
- over 1 GW of renewable capacity by 2029, equivalent to around 1.5 TWh of annual photovoltaic production, covering 19% of its total energy needs
- around 2 GW by 2034, providing up to 3 TWh per year and meeting 40% of electricity consumption
These targets form part of a long-term transition toward a more resilient and low-carbon energy model for Italy’s railway system.
Digital design and improved environmental integration
The Foggia project also benefited from full digital design through Building Information Modelling (BIM). The use of BIM allowed engineers to optimise every stage of the process, improving design quality, reducing operational risks and shortening delivery times.
The digital model also supported better integration of the installation within its surrounding landscape, helping to minimise environmental impact while improving overall project efficiency.
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