Editor’s Note: In this op-ed piece, archaeologist and activist Luca Nejrotti spells out the important considerations that must be made when undertaking renewable energy initiatives in a sustainable way, especially when multiple environmental, cultural, community and archaeological factors are at play. He uses a real-time, real-life example of wind farms and electricity generation and distribution in a critically vulnerable area in Italy as an example.
Sorano, Italy: Italy, a country proverbially rich in archaeological and natural heritage, has recently been the stage for a heated debate between those advocating for an unreserved shift to renewable energy and those calling for a more region-sensitive approach. In a nation that has enshrined its landscape as a key element in its Constitution, this is an intense debate that sees unlikely foes and curious bedfellows.
The “Cultura e Territorio” Association, a group of archaeologists, believes that the archaeologist’s perspective can offer a valuable contribution. As such, the association has taken a stand, particularly against a project in an area we know very well: the construction of 8 industrial wind turbines on the Sorano mountain, in southern Tuscany, at the border of Lazio and Umbria. This project will be managed and executed by “Energia Sorano”, by Fred Olsen Renewables Italy S.r.l., a subsidiary of a much larger company based in Norway, known for building massive offshore installations. Interestingly, like many newly established companies formed to pursue this type of project in Italy, it is undercapitalized relative to the budgets typically required for such large-scale projects, with only 100,000 euros in share capital. They likely plan to recapitalize as needed over time; however, this precarious setup doesn’t inspire confidence in the timely coverage of construction, routine and extraordinary maintenance, and decommissioning costs.
It’s important to note that this project is still in the planning phase. This means that if the concerns of local and broader communities are heeded, the project may not proceed. However, if it does, construction could begin as early as the end of 2025. The push for ecological transition in Europe, especially post-COVID, has been rapid and backed by substantial funding. But many opportunists have seized this momentum to speculate, and now hundreds of projects have emerged in Italy, before the country even had the opportunity to establish comprehensive, sector-specific regulations.
As it stands, local governments are tasked with identifying areas suitable for renewable energy installations. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security is overwhelmed by a flood of proposals with designs to slip through before updated regulations are in place. Many of these proposals exploit older regulations intended for smaller, less intrusive projects, opening the door to large, disruptive installations.
In the case of Sorano (with just eight turbines), the project’s documentation technically meets legal requirements. However, a deeper examination reveals glaring flaws. The reports on local regulations, fauna, flora, geology, archaeology, and public health are superficial, rely on outdated data, overlook key regulations that protect areas like ours, and selectively omit critical information (such as the failure to mention a castle that lies within the construction zone). In cases where data is clearly missing, the proposal simply promises to conduct necessary assessments (e.g., soil stability tests) only after construction begins.
If these oversights go unchallenged, there is a real risk that the project will be approved in Rome, where reviewers may lack local knowledge and resources to carry out comprehensive checks. This could result in the approval of an unfeasible project, which, once construction starts, could stall, leaving behind a devastated landscape with no clear path to restoration.
One key concern is the scale of the proposed wind farm, which, although consisting of a small number of turbines, must be considered in the context of the over fifty other renewable energy projects planned for the area spanning Tuscany, Lazio, and Umbria. This region, home to the same unique landscape, culture, and natural beauty, suffers from being sparsely populated, economically disadvantaged, and politically underrepresented. If all these projects, many proposed by the same companies, were approved, they could irrevocably alter the landscape and ecosystem.
The local community in Sorano and the surrounding communities of Lazio and Maremma have already voiced strong opposition to the project, and our association, which has worked for years to protect and promote the cultural heritage of this region, has officially raised concerns. The very nature of the land makes the site proposed for the wind turbines highly unsuitable. These massive turbines, each 200 meters tall with rotor diameters of 160 meters, would require foundations of reinforced concrete with a diameter of 24.5 meters and a depth of 3.4 meters. The entire construction area is located in a rare karst landscape, a unique geological formation created by seismic activity in the Pleistocene. The land here is already prone to landslides, which are actively monitored, making it an inherently unstable site for such large-scale development. The stresses imposed by a major construction project, involving new roads, excavation, and the installation of oversized turbines, could cause significant environmental damage and be utterly dangerous for the houses all around.
Further compounding the issue, the site is located near the Monte Penna Nature Reserve, home to many vulnerable bat species and birds of prey such as the red kite, buzzard, peregrine falcon, and owl. These species rely on the area for nesting and migratory routes. While eight turbines may seem modest, when combined with the hundreds of others planned for the region, they would form an unnatural barrier to critical ecological corridors, which are vital for wildlife migrations along the Fiora, Paglia, and Tiber river valleys (which are now officially protected by regional laws).
The archaeological significance of the area only adds to the complexity of the situation. The construction site would require the movement of heavy machinery, widening of existing tracks, and the creation of new roads, all of which could damage important archaeological sites. The Roccaccia of Montevitozzo, a medieval fortress dating back to at least the 12th century, stands at the heart of this area. The castle was a strategic stronghold contested in the Middle Ages by the Aldobrandeschi, Siena, and Orvieto, and offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the region. It even appears in a Papal Bull from 1188, alongside references to its village and church, both of which remain to be discovered.
Nearby, evidence of prehistoric occupation, including a hillfort at Monte Penna and a cinnabar mine at Cornacchino, where tools dating back to the Neolithic have been found, further highlights the region’s rich archaeological history. All of this could be jeopardized by the proposed wind farm.
__________________________
Above and below: the Roccaccia of Montevitozzo, a medieval fortress dating back to at least the 12th century. Image courtesy Luca Nejrotti
__________________________
__________________________
The “la Biagiola” archaeological site, located within the Sorano/Sovana area. Image courtesy Luca Nejrotti.
__________________________
Why has this area been targeted for such large-scale energy projects? The reasons are logistical, not environmental. Border zones in Italy typically face fewer restrictions, making them attractive. Furthermore, this region is located along the route of the yet-to-be-built Hyper Grid, a high-voltage cable network that will transport renewable energy from Sardinia to northern Italy and central Europe. Its Central Link, which will pass through our area, will significantly reduce energy transport costs. However, the energy generated will not be used locally. Rather, following an outdated development model, it will be distributed over long distances, benefiting distant areas with no direct benefit to the local community.
None of these energy projects include compensation for the disruption caused to local populations, let alone financial restitution for the use of the land, once a standard practice. Today, in the name of the public good and the energy crisis, land is expropriated at below-market rates, (only for the areas set to be built, even though the whole land will no longer be usable).
The long-term damage, however, goes beyond economic loss. It risks undermining the sustainable development models that have been painstakingly established in this region, models focused on sustainable tourism, agriculture, pastoralism, collective well-being, solidarity, and respect for the environment. Transforming this area into a major energy hub would nullify these efforts and disregard the local community’s values and needs.
Finally, these regions are already producing more renewable energy than is required by European targets, further raising the question: why destroy this unique landscape and heritage for a project that offers no return to those who call it home?
The history of these places and landscapes reflects a delicate balance between humans, the environment, and resources, a balance that has been shaped over millennia through great sacrifices. From an archaeologist’s perspective, we must seek development models that preserve this fragile equilibrium, learning from the past while addressing the potential and challenges of the future.
____________________________
Advertisement
EXPLORE THE ANCIENT ETRUSCANS IN PERSON!
Experience a unique, up-close-and-personal hike among ancient hilltop towns in central Italy. You will walk the sensational countryside of the regions of Umbria and Tuscany, soaking in important sites attesting to the advanced Etruscan civilization, forerunners of the ancient Romans; imposing architectural and cultural remains of Medieval Italy; local food and drink; and perhaps best of all — spectacular scenic views! Join us in this collaborative event for the trip of a lifetime!
