The fourth edition of Energyear Italy is taking place in Milan, gathering more than 800 high-level attendees from the renewable energy industry. This top-rated networking event will serve as a platform to analyze emerging business opportunities and the challenges facing the country in its energy transition. 4gj1j

Amid ambitious energy targets, experts are focusing on the need to create an adequate regulatory framework, avoid delays in istrative processes, and view agrivoltaics as an opportunity for Italy's energy transition.

Italy’s National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) aims to reach a total installed renewable energy capacity of 131 GW by 2030, with 80 GW from solar photovoltaics, 28 GW from wind energy, 19 GW from hydropower, 3 GW from bioenergy, and 1 GW from geothermal sources. The current plan outlines a capacity increase of approximately 74 GW compared to 2021, with about 57 GW expected to come from solar and roughly 17 GW from wind.

In 2023, Italy reached 30.28 GW in solar photovoltaic energy, with a total of 1,594,974 installations spread across the country, consolidating its position as a European leader. Currently, the solar sector represents a significant portion of the total electricity generation, with an estimated 49% of new installed capacity coming from the residential sector (installations up to 20 kW), 36% from the industrial and commercial sector (installations between 200 kW and 1 MW), and 15% from large-scale projects (more than 1 MW).

During the first seven months of 2024, installed renewable energy capacity in Italy increased by 4,282 MW, with 3,853 MW from solar photovoltaics, averaging 550 MW per month. By the end of July, the installed solar capacity reached 34.1 GW, marking an increase of 3.8 GW from January to July, representing a 41.2% growth compared to the same period the previous year, according to data from Terna, the company managing the national electricity transmission network.

With these targets on the table, the industry is questioning what the main challenges and opportunities in the sector are.

This debate was brought to the forefront during the opening , "Agenda 2030: The Role of Energy Companies in Building a Sustainable Future," which featured Guido Omodeo Salè, Country Manager Italy at Smartenergy; Renske Ytsma, Director of Project Origination, Development, and Mergers & Acquisitions at DRI; Alberto Cuter, Vice President for Latin America and Italy at Jinko Solar; and Alberto Nodari, Senior Business Development Manager at Lightsource BP.

Guido Amodeo, a sustainability expert, emphasized the importance of agrivoltaics as a significant opportunity for the industry. He highlighted that the Agri-PV concept is key to renewable energy development in Italy, given the abundance of land where solar energy production can be integrated with agriculture.

During his intervention, Amodeo also stressed the importance of maximizing land use and managing the public message to convey the benefits of these projects. He underlined that the integration of proper mechanisms could bring tangible benefits to local communities if managed effectively.

For Alberto Cuter, institutional interest in renewables is vital, as they must be seen as an opportunity for the country. He also highlighted the benefits of the Agri-PV concept in Italy and pointed to the need for energy independence. To achieve this, the sector requires access to land. “We have the land, but we need permits to access it. We have the resources to achieve energy independence, but we are still dependent on gas from North Africa,” Cuter stated.

He also stressed the need for knowledgeable politicians to help advance the agenda and change public opinion. As for the PNIEC, Cuter was less optimistic: “With so many delays, we won’t move forward. We need to be realistic.”

Renske Ytsma analyzed the istrative process timelines in Italy compared to other countries. She pointed out that Italy presents a significant opportunity for renewable energy development, with clear goals and available resources, but acknowledged that implementation processes take longer in Italy than in other parts of the European Union.

In this regard, Ytsma identified 2024 as a key year to overcome challenges at both national and regional levels. She also highlighted the need for a shift in public perception about Agri-PV to help clarify its benefits, noting that there is currently a lack of clarity on the necessary actions to take.

Alberto Ibani, meanwhile, addressed the concept of sustainability as a long-term goal that integrates energy, environmental, and social welfare elements. He also noted that to achieve the ambitious goals of the PNIEC, Italy needs more authorizations and a realistic approach to development plans.

After analyzing Italy's energy objectives, the experts agreed on the importance of promoting agrivoltaics, establishing an appropriate regulatory framework, addressing delays in istrative processes, and effectively communicating the relevance of renewable energy.