[SMM PV News] Italy Adds 6.4 GW Solar in 2025 as Utility-Scale Boom

Greece's energy regulator (RAAEY) has initiated the first auctions under the ’Apollo Program‘, tendering 200 MW of solar-plus-storage and 400 MW of wind capacity to lower electricity costs for low-income households. The single-step static auction requires developers to submit bids by March 16, with maximum strike prices set at €80/MWh for solar-storage projects and €75/MWh for wind. Winning projects will secure 20-year Contracts for Difference (CfDs) and must be grid-ready by December 31, 2027. To ensure competition, the regulator mandates a 40% oversubscription rate and limits any single bidder to 25% of the total capacity. A second phase targeting municipalities is expected later this year.

Omani manufacturer United Solar Holding has commenced production at its polysilicon facility in the Sohar Freezone, targeting an annual capacity of 100,000 metric tons, which enough to support 40 GW of solar modules. The milestone follows the closure of a massive debt financing package in mid-January totaling over $900 million, split between a $480 million facility led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and over $400 million from local commercial banks. The project's largest shareholder, Future Fund Oman, has increased its stake to approximately $260 million.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has concluded its auction for 1.2 GW of renewable energy capacity paired with energy storage, designed to supply 4.8 GWh of peak power daily. Adyant Enersol secured the lowest tariff of INR 6.27/kWh for 100 MW. Serentica Renewables (600 MW) and AMPIN Energy (199 MW) followed closely with bids of INR 6.28/kWh, while ACME Solar was awarded the remaining capacity (approximately 301 MW). These projects will be developed on a build-own-operate basis under 25-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), requiring developers to co-locate generation and storage systems and connect them to the interstate transmission network.