During the state visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and in the presence of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi signed three key agreements with Emirati companies. These agreements focus on data centre development, renewable energy transmission, and critical minerals supply chains, reinforcing the strategic partnership between Italy and the UAE.
Advanced Data Centres in Italy
Eni signed a Letter of Intent with MGX, an investment fund specialising in AI and advanced technology, and G42, a leading AI-focused group based in Abu Dhabi, to develop state-of-the-art data centres in Italy. These facilities, with a planned IT capacity of up to 1 GW, will store, process, and manage large-scale data while being fully powered by blue energy—a low-carbon power source generated by natural gas with CO₂ capture and storage.
The first project will be located in Ferrera Erbognone, home to Eni’s Green Data Centre, and will be developed in two phases, each with up to 500 MW of IT capacity—matching Italy’s current total installed capacity. A dedicated power plant with carbon capture and storage at Ravenna will support the project.
Renewable Energy Transmission from Albania to Italy
Eni also signed an agreement with Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy leader, and Taqa Transmission, a specialist in electricity transmission. The deal establishes a long-term power offtake arrangement, with Eni as a preferred buyer of up to 3 GW of renewable energy from Albania, transmitted via a 1 GW cross-border subsea interconnection to Italy.
This agreement builds on the Tripartite Strategic Partnership Framework signed in January 2025 between Italy, Albania, and the UAE, further integrating regional energy networks.
Collaboration on Critical Minerals
In a separate agreement, Eni and ADQ, a global sovereign investor focused on critical infrastructure, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the research and development of critical minerals. The initiative aims to enhance supply chain security and resilience for both Italy and the UAE, supporting the sustainable sourcing of essential materials for the energy transition.
CEO Perspective
Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi emphasised the significance of the agreements, stating:
“Our partnership with the UAE reflects a shared commitment to a sustainable energy future through innovation and collaboration. Together with leading UAE companies, we will advance initiatives in key sectors, including AI-driven data centres powered by blue energy, supporting the growing demand for sustainable computing capacity. This strategic cooperation highlights our dedication to technological progress and global energy security.”
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