Qualitas Energy has signed a financing agreement with Italian developer ACL Energy for the construction of a 211 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) portfolio in Italy.

The transaction is being structured through the Qualitas Energy Credit Fund and strengthens the firm’s growing presence in the Italian energy storage market, while advancing its broader credit investment strategy in the European energy transition sector.

Two large-scale storage projects in Lombardy and Apulia

The portfolio consists of two standalone BESS projects located in the Italian regions of Lombardy and Apulia, with a combined installed capacity of 211 MW. The assets will include 4-hour and 8-hour battery storage systems, respectively, designed to enhance grid flexibility and support renewable energy integration.

Both projects benefit from long-term contracted revenues secured through 15-year agreements awarded under Italy’s Capacity Market and MACSE storage auctions.

Milestone-based construction financing

The financing will support the construction, commissioning, and operation of the portfolio. Disbursements will be linked to the achievement of predefined construction milestones across both projects.

The investment is part of Qualitas Energy’s Credit strategy, which has secured more than €370 million in commitments to date and focuses on providing tailored financing solutions for renewable energy infrastructure across greenfield and brownfield developments.

Expanding role of battery storage in the energy transition

Executives at Qualitas Energy highlighted the strategic importance of battery energy storage systems in enabling higher penetration of renewable energy, improving grid stability, reducing curtailment, and providing ancillary services to electricity systems.

ACL Energy marks institutional financing milestone

ACL Energy described the transaction as a defining step in its development as an independent BESS platform in Italy, noting that securing construction financing at this scale represents a significant milestone for standalone storage assets in the country.