The Meloni government approved the “Energy Decree”, which has been on the table for weeks but has not been brought to the agenda. While the expansion of the market for protected electricity and gas bills has not yet been discussed, the provision introduces various innovations, in particular new regasification terminals, renewable energy, a fund to encourage the construction of facilities in suitable areas, incentives. two port areas for energy-intensive companies looking to decarbonize and floating wind energy. Also updates for the National Radioactive Waste Repository. The financial value of the approved measures is remarkable: “Investments are worth 27.4 billion,” says Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin in a note. Let’s see what it’s about?
What’s in the Energy Decree? Pichetto: “Let’s unleash the country’s potential”
“With the energy decree we want to unlock the great potential of our country, making it a reference point for renewable energy sources in the Mediterranean: Pichetto continues: A provision that is fully compatible with our National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, with production sectors embarking on the path of decarbonisation, e.g. “Providing important answers to thousands of businesses with high electricity and gas consumption.”
The Minister explains: “We want to accelerate the development of renewable energy sources towards the 2030 targets by obliging the regions to install renewable energy plants with a fund for compensatory works. That is why we are approving a package of rules – concludes the Minister – very diverse but all attributable to a solid and pragmatic energy vision” .
LNG terminals are becoming “utilities”
A rule allowing faster installation of gasification plants was approved in the Energy Decree. There are currently 4 active regasifiers in Italy that convert LNG, i.e. liquefied natural gas. The fifth is nearing completion and the government plans to build two more at Porto Empedocle in Sicily and Gioia Tauro in Calabria. This time, however, as in Piombino, any opposition and resulting delays were overcome more quickly due to fears of environmental and social risks.
Pichetto Fratin thus declared “an important rule for facilities such as: a rule that works on the construction and operation of onshore liquid natural gas regasification terminals as well as related infrastructures must be considered as public services, which cannot be postponed and urgently.” Porto Empedokle and Gioia Tauro”.
More space for the National Radioactive Waste Repository
In addition to the overall “strengthening”, in the Minister’s words, of “the challenges of geothermal electricity, bioethanol, floating wind energy and district heating, as well as all the innovative supply chains required for the future”, the energy decree also addresses the need for safe disposal of waste from Italy’s decommissioned nuclear power plants. He discussed the issue of the National Radioactive Waste Repository where it can be stored.
“Among the new rules is the possibility that regional institutions that are not included in the National Charter for Suitable Sites will be able to apply to host a national radioactive waste repository: this is a necessary step to accelerate the identification of radioactive waste,” Pichetto Fratin explains. an area where the country has a strong need”.
All measures of the Energy Decree
The Energy Decree Law, approved today, November 27, 2023, included the following measures worth 27.4 billion euros:
- A fund of 350 million per year for the Regions and Autonomous Provinces until 2032 for environmental and territorial compensation and rebalancing measures following the installation of renewable facilities in suitable areas;
- Incentive system for the installation of renewable energy systems for approximately 3800 companies with high electricity consumption such as the chemical, glass and textile sectors. These will see the effects of construction of these facilities, which the GSE predicts will return within the next two decades;
- Procurement of gas at advantageous prices and issuance of new licenses for hydrocarbon cultivation to approximately a thousand gas consuming companies (such as the steel, paper and glass industries) through the GSE;
- simplifications for geothermal electricity, in particular regarding the allocation of concessions;
- Supporting floating wind energy in the South with the identification of two port areas to develop sector investments with the function of hosting floating platforms in the South;
- a digital portal containing data and information on the development of the national electricity grid;
- A transition support system to ensure the continued operation of facilities powered by sustainable biofluids;
- measures to save water in thermoelectric power plants through the creation of air condensers;
- 15 new district heating projects as well as simplifications in the development and durability of smart networks;
- regulatory interventions and the launch of a new study to improve the carbon capture and storage chain.
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Source: Today IT
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
