Saras and Verbund AG have signed a strategic agreement under the Energy Release 2.0 mechanism promoted by the Energy Services Manager (GSE) to promote the development of renewable energy and support the competitiveness of energy-intensive businesses. The agreement provides for the advance payment by the GSE of approximately 1.2 terawatt-hours of electricity over three years, intended to power the Saras refinery in Sarroch, one of the main energy and industrial hubs in the Mediterranean.

The anticipated energy will subsequently be returned to the GSE by Verbund Green Power Italia through the construction of new photovoltaic capacity amounting to approximately 81 megawatts. The plants will be contracted with the GSE for a twenty-year fixed-price period, in accordance with the Energy Release 2.0 mechanism. With this transaction, Verbund, through its Italian subsidiary, strengthens its role in the development of new renewable energy plants in the country.

The energy returned to the system will come from newly built plants, helping to increase production from renewable sources, reduce emissions, and support national and European climate goals.