• Zelestra currently has 31 projects in Italy totalling 450 MW, including both solar and battery energy storage projects

• Zelestra Italy aspires to expand its pipeline to 2 GW by 2026

Zelestra, a global, multi-technology, customer-focused renewable energy company, has appointed Eliano Russo as the new Country Manager of its Italy business.

Eliano Russo has more than 25 years of experience in the energy sector and specializes in renewable energy, business development, and strategy. Previously, as CEO of 3SUN, he led the startup of Europe’s largest solar module manufacturing plant. He has also held strategic positions at Enel and E.ON, where he drove key projects in energy storage and global business growth. Among his most notable achievements are the launch of ENEL X’s B2B division, the creation of E.ON’s energy storage unit, and the financing for large energy projects.

He holds a degree in Statistics and Economics from La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, and a master’s degree in economics and management of Energy and Environment from ENI’s Scuola Superiore Enrico Mattei, Milan, Italy.

This appointment reflects Zelestra’s commitment to support Italy in its energy transition as well as Zelestra’s global and local customers in their decarbonization efforts.

On his appointment, Eliano Russo comments: “It is an honor to join Zelestra at such a crucial time for the energy transition in Italy. My goal is to continue to drive the development of innovative projects that contribute to the decarbonization of the country and to support our customers on their journey towards a more sustainable future.”

Leo Moreno, CEO of Zelestra, says: “We are very pleased to welcome Eliano to the Zelestra team. His extensive experience in the energy sector and his strategic vision will be instrumental in achieving our ambitious growth goals in Italy. In addition, we are committed to remaining a trusted partner to our customers, providing them with innovative energy solutions that will enable them to successfully meet the challenges of the future.”

About Zelestra

With a portfolio of 25 GW of carbon-free projects across 13 countries, Zelestra is a vertically integrated company specializing in developing, commercializing, constructing, and operating large-scale renewable energy projects. Zelestra is made up of 953 professionals globally. It is backed by EQT, one of the largest fund managers in the world, with more than 232 billion euros in assets under management.