Former Eni Fuel Depot to Become Major Solar Energy Hub

The former Eni fuel depot in Calenzano, near Florence, where five workers lost their lives in an explosion on December 9, 2024, will be transformed into a renewable energy hub. The project, developed by Eni in agreement with the Municipality of Calenzano and the Tuscany Region, marks a major shift from fossil fuels to clean energy in an area long linked to industrial activity.

The future plant, expected to generate 20 megawatts of electricity—enough to power about 10,000 households—will be completed within four years. Eni will invest tens of millions of euros in the project, which includes dismantling the damaged infrastructure, cleaning up the contaminated site, and rebuilding it as a large-scale solar energy facility.

Five percent of the plant’s revenues will benefit the local community, while part of Eni’s voluntary contribution of €6.5 million will be used to restore and expand public sports facilities, including a new Olympic-sized swimming pool and a modern sports arena.

The agreement also foresees a smaller photovoltaic system, to be built and maintained by Eni, which will provide renewable energy for municipal sports areas and support the creation of a local renewable energy community.

A neighbouring disused Eni property in via delle Prata will be redeveloped for new craft and industrial activities, potentially creating local jobs. Plans are also under way to upgrade the nearby train stations of Calenzano and Pratignone.

While judicial proceedings are still pending to determine responsibility for last year’s explosion, local and regional authorities have described the redevelopment as a way to turn tragedy into transformation—shifting a site of loss into a model for sustainable recovery and energy transition.

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