24. June 2026
(CONNECT) Axpo from the canton of Aargau and e-STORAGE based in Kitchener, Ontario, which is a subsidiary of the Canadian solar company Canadian Solar Inc. in Guelph, Ontario, have agreed to develop their first joint battery project in Rizziconi, Calabria.
The large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) will be installed at the existing combined-cycle gas power plant operated by Axpo. According to a statement, it will have a capacity of 8 megawatts and a storage capacity of 40 megawatt-hours. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of 2026, with commissioning planned for early 2028.
Under the agreement, e-STORAGE will deliver a complete and integrated solution that combines 9 SolBank 3.0 battery blocks, Power Conversion Systems (PCS) and the company’s proprietary EQ-S energy management system. The battery cells and storage systems will be developed and manufactured at Canadian Solar’s production facilities.
With this project, the partners are responding to rising solar output in southern Italy, where the network capacity is regularly exceeded as early as midday. The storage system is designed to absorb surplus solar energy and dispatch it to the grid later as needed. The aim is to ease the pressure on the grid in the region, strengthen the security of supply and help lower the cost of electricity.
For Axpo, this is its first large-scale battery system project in Italy. “We’re also excited to partner with e-STORAGE on this project,” said Frank Amend, Axpo Group Head of Batteries & Hybrid Systems. For e-STORAGE, this is its first contract in the Italian market. “To enter one of Europe's most dynamic storage markets through an integrated project like this proves just how effectively our technology can adapt to real grid needs,” said President Jeff Roy. ce/as
