The smallest state in the world, the Vatican, will be the first
carbon-neutral country in the globe and Europe’s largest solar power
plant. The home of Pope Benedict XVI has decided to spend €500 million ($660 million) to create a massive 100 megawatt photovoltaic installation which will provide enough energy to provide electricity to 40,000 people and also to make the country completely solar-powered.
The Vatican has only 900 residents and the expected emissions will be strong enough to reach 35 countries including Asia.
Despite many governments consider that invest on solar energy at this scale is too expensive, the Holy See, advised by German solar-panel maker Solarworld AG, still maintains its position and will bet on “sunlight” to fight against the global warming.
“One should take advantage of the crisis to try and develop these renewable-energy sources to the maximum, which in the long run will reap incomparable rewards”, said Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, the Vatican City’s governor.
The new acquisition is expected to cut 91,000 tons of carbon emissions.
The European Union wants to get an average 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020, but only a few countries are working on it.
For instance, Italy obtained 17% of renewable energy this year, compared with 5% in 2005. Overall, the Vatican's plan is an attempt to go greener in a big way.
It has the advantage of its small size and will count on Italy's aid after 2014, when the new plant is expected to export electricity to the nation that surrounds it.
In addition, French firm Renault gave the Pope an eco-friendly white Renault Kangoo, to be used at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
Another electric car was donated for use by Benedict’s security force.