Small wind energy in Italy has created valuable opportunities for developers and investors in areas with favourable wind resources. Energica Srl’s installations in Sicily demonstrate how reliable turbine technology, local project development and appropriate site conditions can support successful distributed wind energy projects.
Energica installed 19 Northern Power Systems wind turbines across multiple sites in Sicily. At the Gangi site, the turbines achieved an average Annual Energy Production of 196,000 kWh per unit, demonstrating the performance potential of small wind technology in suitable locations.
Developing Small Wind Energy in Sicily
Sicily offers strong renewable energy potential due to its favourable solar and wind resources. These conditions have supported the development of both utility-scale and distributed renewable energy projects across the region.
Energica Srl identified an opportunity to develop small wind energy in Italy by combining suitable sites, local project expertise and proven wind turbine technology. The project forms part of the broader development of wind energy in Italy, supported by the country’s favourable wind resources and ongoing transition towards renewable electricity.
By 2016, the company had installed 19 onshore wind turbines across different locations in Sicily. All installations used Northern Power Systems technology, predominantly the NPS 60-24 wind turbine on 37-metre towers.
Located at an altitude of 1,130 metres above sea level, the Gangi site has an average wind speed of 6 m/s. Under these site conditions, the installed turbines achieved an average Annual Energy Production of 196,000 kWh per turbine. All the electricity generated was exported to the grid under the feed-in tariff applicable to the project at the time.
| Location | Sicily, Italy |
| Project type | Wind investment site |
| Developer | Energica Srl |
| Technology | predominantly NPS 60-24 wind turbines |
| Tower height | 37 metres |
| Average wind speed | 6 m/s |
| Site altitude | 1,130 metres above sea level |
| Average production at Gangi | 196,000 kWh per turbine annually |
| Energy use | 100% exported to the grid |
| Historical feed-in tariff | €0.268/kWh |
| Fleet availability | 98% |
| Services | 24/7 monitoring and local service support |
Why Energica Selected Northern Power Systems
The relationship between Energica and Northern Power Systems began in 2012, when Energica CEO Luca Palmeri met the NPS team at Eolica Expo Mediterranean in Rome.
Regulatory conditions in Sicily at the time created new opportunities for wind turbines with a rated capacity of up to 60 kW. Energica consequently began the authorisation process for several projects.
By June 2013, Energica had decided to purchase its first NPS 60 wind turbine. The turbine was installed in November 2013, becoming the first of several Northern Power Systems wind turbines subsequently deployed across Sicily.
Following the commercial and financial success of the initial installation, Energica expanded its investment and became Northern Power Systems’ exclusive development partner for end users and private investors in Sicily.
The NPS 60-24 Wind Turbine Solution
The NPS 60-24 wind turbine was selected to provide dependable energy generation while limiting maintenance requirements.
Its gearless architecture reduces the number of high-maintenance drivetrain components and supports reliable long-term operation. This was particularly important for Energica, which was developing multiple projects across different sites.
The solution included:
- Gearless turbine technology
- A 10-year Performance Guarantee Program
- 98% fleet availability
- Continuous 24/7 monitoring
- Local service support
- A 37-metre tower configuration
Together, these features helped Energica’s owner-operators manage the turbines efficiently and focus on project development rather than maintaining a dedicated team of maintenance professionals.
Proven Energy Production at the Gangi Site
The most important result recorded in the case study is the average Annual Energy Production at Gangi: 196,000 kWh per turbine.
Actual production depends on site-specific conditions such as wind speed, turbulence, air density, terrain, turbine configuration and availability. For this reason, accurate wind resource assessment and site evaluation are essential before developing any small wind energy project.
At Gangi, an average wind speed of 6 m/s, a site altitude of 1,130 metres and NPS turbine technology combined to produce an average Annual Energy Production of 196,000 kWh per turbine.
Confidence in Northern Power Systems Technology
Energica’s experience with the turbines led the company to expand its investment in Northern Power Systems technology. It purchased two additional turbines in 2015 and another three in 2016.
“We are so pleased with the quality of the NPS wind turbines, their actual performance in terms of reliability and energy production, as well as the competence of the individual NPS team members, that we decided to invest in the NPS product personally.”
— Luca Palmeri, CEO, Energica Srl
This continued investment reflected the company’s confidence in the turbines’ reliability, energy production and technical support.
Commercial and Environmental Value
The Energica project shows that small wind energy in Italy can provide both commercial and environmental benefits when installations are developed at suitable sites.
The electricity generated by the turbines is exported to the grid, supporting distributed renewable energy generation. At the same time, dependable operation and continuous monitoring help protect the long-term performance of the investment.
The project also demonstrates the importance of combining:
- Long-term monitoring and service support
- Reliable wind turbine technology
- Careful wind resource assessment
- Appropriate project authorisation
- Local development expertise
A Proven Small Wind Energy Case Study
This small wind turbine case study provides a real-world example of how small wind energy can be developed successfully across multiple sites.
With 19 turbines installed across Sicily by 2016, an average Annual Energy Production of 196,000 kWh per turbine at the 6 m/s Gangi site and 98% fleet availability, the project demonstrates the role that reliable distributed wind technology can play in renewable energy development.
For developers, investors and businesses evaluating a wind project, Northern Power Systems provides turbine technology, technical expertise and project support tailored to site-specific requirements.
Let’s Build Your Wind Energy Project
Are you evaluating a distributed wind energy project? Contact Northern Power Systems to discuss your site, energy objectives and technical requirements with our renewable energy specialists.