Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has joined forces with GC Storage Services (GCSS) through its Flagship Fund CI V to develop a 2.3GW portfolio of large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) across Italy.
The collaboration between CIP and GCSS will focus on deploying standalone battery projects in both Northern and Southern Italy, with the first project set to begin construction in 2025.
CIP’s increasing focus on energy storage aligns with its broader strategy of supporting the global energy transition. With Italy’s favorable regulatory framework, the partnership seeks to leverage CIP’s expertise to accelerate the expansion of battery storage infrastructure. This initiative also contributes to Italy’s renewable energy targets for 2030.
CIP Partner Nischal Agarwal emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating: “The partnership with GCSS is a great opportunity for us to expand our pipeline of utility-scale battery storage projects and to enter the promising Italian market. Italy has a clear need for storage, and the enabling market and regulatory mechanisms are being put in place to make battery storage projects commercially attractive.”
CIP’s Flagship Fund CI V, which closed in March 2025, surpassed its initial target of €12bn ($12.9bn). The fund is set to invest in a range of energy transition technologies, including wind, solar photovoltaic, and battery storage, with a focus on low-risk OECD markets in Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region.
GCSS CEO Roberto Castiglioni highlighted the company’s vision, stating: “Together with Agnoli Giuggioli (AG), we created GCSS with the objective of developing one of Italy’s largest and most bankable battery storage platforms. Leveraging our UK expertise and AG’s deep local regulatory knowledge, we are building a portfolio of strategically distributed sites across key Italian zones. Partnering with such an experienced investor as CIP allows us to deliver projects that set new standards for energy storage in Italy.”
