Brussels, 02/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has approved several aid schemes relating to the production of electricity and thermal energy from renewable energies other than photovoltaic energy in Tuscany, as they are conform to the environment aid framework. On the other hand, it decided to open a procedure regarding projects relating to the production of electricity and thermal energy from photovoltaic installations and others aimed at energy savings. As far as the first are concerned, the Commission considers that the Italian authorities, which notified all the projects in November 2001, did not explain at that stage why the aid intensity that they propose (75%) is necessary. For projects aimed at energy saving, Italy has not given any convincing arguments regarding the need for the investment envisaged. Furthermore, the intensity of aid allowed seems, in some cases, to be outdated.