The European Commission approved on Monday 8 June an Italian €23 billion scheme to support renewable energy production under the CISAF framework, which stimulates investment in clean technologies until the end of 2030 (see EUROPE 13667/26).
The Italian scheme will support the construction of facilities generating electricity from onshore wind, solar, hydropower and sewage gas. These plants are expected to provide a total renewable electricity capacity of 37.15 GW, or around 48% of Italy’s current capacity.
Companies selected following a competitive bidding process will receive guaranteed remuneration based on a reference price (‘strike price’) through the signing of 20-year two-way contracts for difference (CFDs). Facilities producing electricity from solar or wind energy will have to comply with additional criteria stemming from the Net-Zero Industry Act. Regardless of the renewable energy source used, facilities with a capacity below 1 MW will be exempt from the competitive bidding process.
The Commission considers the Italian scheme necessary, appropriate and proportionate for accelerating investment in the climate transition. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)