FUELS GET THE GREEN LIGHT

The European nation has lowered its dependence on imported energy by integrating large volumes of renewables

European States are undergoing a long-term energy transition towards a low-carbon economy, where renewable sources are expected to play a central role in the energy mix.

Italy has made impressive progress in this context, developing a comprehensive energy strategy and accelerating its efforts to comply with 2020 goals on renewable energy. The country even aims to exceed the EU environmental and decarbonisation objective, taking a lead role in implementing the EU Roadmap 2050.

In recent years Italy has experienced rapid and impressive growth in the green energy sector and is today one of the most important international markets for renewable technologies.

Rapid growth in the deployment of solar, wind and bio energy saw the total share of renewable energy more than double from 7.9 per cent in total primary energy supply in 2005 to 18.2 per cent in 2015, above the EU’s 17 per cent target for 2020.

This progress has propelled Italy to the global forefront of nations developing renewable energies.

In 2015, 40.2 per cent of the total electrical production in Italy came from renewable sources, including hydroelectric power, and approximately 34 per cent of the country’s demand for electricity was satisfied by renewables. The share of renewables in generation has increased from 17.2 per cent in 2005, especially thanks to devel-

Sustainable leader

opments in solar and wind power, biofuels and waste.

The country has implemented generous incentive schemes to encourage the development of renewable energy production. Its largest scheme incentivised solar photovoltaic (PV) production and led Italy from a low base of installed PV in 2010 to become one of the world’s largest countries by installations. Italy has the highest share of PV generation in a large economy. Renewable rules

Electricity generated from renewable sources is promoted through a number of feed-in and premium tariffs as well as a tendering system. Grid operators are obliged to give priority access to renewable energy plants in the operation of their grids. They are also obliged to give priority dispatch to electricity from renewable sources. All new or refurbished buildings must integrate renewable systems, with an additional 10 per cent obligation for public buildings. A guarthe antee fund is in place for supporting district heating network development. In addition, a loan can also be used for supporting investment in district heating infrastructure.

A crucial improvement in recent years has been the development and implementation of a comprehensive long-term energy strategy.

The publication of the National Energy Strategy in 2013 set the government’s medium- and long-term objectives for