Photovoltaic systems launched in Santa Marta and San Basilio: lower emissions, greater energy autonomy.
Venice–Chioggia, February 2026 – A new, tangible step towards environmental sustainability and the energy transition of the Port of Venice. The North Adriatic Sea Port Authority has launched an energy efficiency project involving Buildings 12 and 13, which host the Authority’s headquarters, and Building 15, home to the Harbour Master’s Office, in the area between Santa Marta and San Basilio.
The project entails a total investment of approximately 650,000 euros, of which 530,000 euros is funded through the PNRR – Green Ports programme, and is scheduled for completion by June 2026.
At the core of the project is the installation of a multi-section photovoltaic system integrated directly into the rooftops of the three buildings, combined with measures to improve energy efficiency and optimise consumption. The panels will be evenly distributed across the internal and central roof slopes, ensuring geometric continuity and minimising visual impact.
Special attention has been paid to architectural and landscape integration. The modules use pigmented tempered glass enhanced with nanotechnology, giving them a red hue that allows the panels to blend in with traditional roof tiles. This choice is fully consistent with the historical context of the area, which in recent years has undergone recovery and restoration works that preserved original construction typologies and renewed roofing in line with the architectural identity of port buildings. The specific geometry of the roof slopes further contributes to integrating the systems into the urban landscape without altering its visual perception.
From a technical standpoint, 48 panels will be installed on Building 12, with an estimated capacity of 17.28 kW; 78 modules are planned for Building 13, providing 28.08 kW; and 143 panels will be installed on Building 15, for a capacity of 51.48 kW. Overall, the system will reach a total capacity of 96.80 kW.
The project will enable the direct production of energy from the sun, a renewable, inexhaustible source with no climate-altering emissions during operation, thereby helping reduce air pollution and the greenhouse effect. Self-generation will also make it possible to lower energy costs over time, increase independence from traditional energy sources, ensure reliable management thanks to the limited maintenance required, and enhance the value of surplus energy, including within energy communities, generating additional economic benefits.
The expected environmental results are significant: the project will lead to a reduction of over 69 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year, an impact equivalent to the planting of approximately 1,500 trees.
With this initiative, the Port System Authority confirms its commitment to combining heritage protection, technological innovation and environmental sustainability, transforming its infrastructure into a model of energy efficiency and making a tangible contribution to the decarbonisation of port activities and the city as a whole.