Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its flagship fund CI V, has announced a new partnership with Italian developer GC Storage Services (GCSS) to develop a 2.3GW battery storage portfolio in Italy. The projects will be located in both the north and south of the country, with the first initiative expected to be ready for construction in 2025. 181b65

This agreement marks a strategic step in CIP's expansion into continental Europe, targeting markets where the need for energy storage is evident. CIP's growing investment in batteries is reflected in recent projects in the UK, the US, Chile, and Australia. Italy, with a favorable regulatory framework, provides a conducive environment for the development of these infrastructures.

The Italian energy storage market is projected to become one of the largest in Europe, playing a key role in achieving the 2030 renewable energy targets and ensuring the security of electricity supply. The economic viability of these projects is ed by long-term revenue streams from the Capacity Market in the north of the country and the MACSE auctions in the south.

Nischal Agarwal, Partner at CIP, stated: "The partnership with GCSS allows us to expand our portfolio of utility-scale battery storage projects and enter the promising Italian market. Italy has a clear need for storage, and the regulatory mechanisms are evolving to make these projects commercially viable."

Meanwhile, Roberto Castiglioni, CEO of GCSS, commented: "Together with Agnoli Giuggioli (AG), we created GCSS with the aim of developing one of Italy’s largest and most bankable battery storage platforms. Leveraging our UK expertise and AG’s deep regulatory knowledge, we are building a portfolio of strategically distributed sites in key Italian zones. Partnering with an experienced investor like CIP enables us to set new standards for energy storage in Italy."

CIP’s CI V fund closed its fundraising in March 2025, suring €12 billion in investments, aimed at ing the energy transition across technologies such as wind power, solar PV, and battery storage in OECD countries.