Italy invests in clean energy to establish itself as a European energy hub

Italy invests in clean energy to establish itself as a European energy hub

In addition to gas and LNG, the Italy government is investing in clean energy to become energy independent and Europe’s energy hub.

On September 25, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Brothers of Italy/Ecr) told the public that she wants to make Italy, particularly the south, an “energy hub of Europe” by investing in “structural solutions” to achieve primarily complete energy independence.

“We could make the South the energy supply hub of Europe with a little intelligence and well-spent resources,” she said, adding that gas pipelines “and then renewables” were on the table.

“Renewable energy will boom next year,” said Gianni Silvestrini, the Kyoto Club’s scientific director, to EURACTIV Italy on Tuesday. “We will have approximately 3000 megawatts more this year; the results are coming.” “Every year, we must operate and generate between 7000 and 8000 megawatts of clean energy,” he stated.

The Italian government approved the favorable environmental compatibility of eight projects for power implants powered by renewable energy sources, totaling 314 megawatts, on October 5.

According to Silvestrini, many more are being considered for solar energy, a priority in Italy, and wind and geothermal energy.

“Innovative solutions exist today, thanks to new technologies, that will facilitate the transition to renewable energy,” Silvestrini explained.

Italy’s share of renewable energy was around 38% from 2014 to 2021, but due to the drought and subsequent collapse of hydroelectric power production, the percentage will fall this year.

However, if the roadmap initiated by the Draghi government and now in the hands of the Meloni government is followed, “it will grow exponentially” in the “coming years.”

To meet Europe’s climate targets of zero emissions by 2050 and achieve independence from foreign, particularly Russian, gas, Italy will need to expand its renewable energy sector significantly.

Aside from its own energy needs, the Italian government aspires to be an energy hub for Europe, exporting energy to other member countries and beyond.

“Within the next decade, Italy will have a large production of clean energy, and it will be necessary to engage in energy exchanges with other European countries,” Silvestrini explained, adding that Italy will be able to export and import as needed based on the seasons and amount of energy produced.

Source: EURACTIV

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