Un step forward concrete towards the local energy transition. That is how Cer Italia Foundation defines the decree signed on 16 May 2025 by the Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, which introduces important changes to the rules on Renewable energy communities (Cer) and on self-consumption.
Among main new features, the extension of access to PNRR incentives to municipalities with fewer than 50 inhabitants. A long-awaited measure, which opens the door to the participation of numerous territories so far excluded from the incentives for starting CERs, especially in medium-sized urban centers.
Chiassai Martini: “This is how the transition in the territories is accelerated”
"It is a strategic and necessary measure - commented Silvia Chiassai Martini, president of Fondazione Cer Italia and mayor of Montevarchi – which accepts the requests put forward by many operators and territories. It is a turning point for local energy transition".
The ministerial intervention is also welcomed by other key elements:
- greater flexibility in the times of commissioning of the systems,
- possibility of paying up to 30% of the contribution in advance,
- retroactivity of the new rules for requests already submitted,
- and the removal of the reduction factor in case of accumulation with other contributions, now also extended to natural persons.
“These changes are going in the right direction – explains Chiassai Martini: making more accessible and sustainable the opportunity to take advantage of a important help in creating systems that allow for a guaranteed incentive for twenty years, for all those who decide to contribute to the energy transition of our country, by entering existing CERs that can request Pnrr funds, encouraging real participation by citizens, businesses and public administrations. We are optimistic that these corrections will quickly translate into an aconcrete acceleration of projects on the national territory".
A national “plug&play” model for municipalities and citizens
Fondazione Cer Italia, which to date brings together 53 municipalities from all over the country, confirms itself as the national point of reference for the development of publicly-led CERs. Born in 2023, the Foundation promotes a participatory, sustainable and replicable model on a national scale.
The proposed system is intended to be easily implementable (“plug&play”) by local administrations. It offers a full, free and simplified support to access the Pnrr funds, relieving the Municipalities of bureaucratic complexities and speeding up the activation of shared self-consumption configurations.
Entering a Cer it does not involve costs for members and allows to fully exploit the economic, environmental and social benefits related to the self-production and sharing of renewable energy. Those who benefit are not only citizens and businesses, but also the third sector, municipalities and even religious entities.
The model promoted by Fondazione CER Italia aims to generate energy savings, economic growth and social inclusion, helping to build a more equitable and sustainable future for future generations.
The decree, signed by Minister Pichetto Fratin, will now be submitted to the scrutiny of the Court of Auditors before publication in the Official Journal. “We trust in a rapid conclusion of the process – concluded Chiassai Martini – so that the new provisions can enter into force as soon as possible and contribute to promoting the energy transition of the entire country”.
What is the Cer Italia Foundation?
Cer Italia Foundation it is the first Renewable Energy Community active on a national scale, born in the 2023 by initiative of the Municipality of Montevarchi. Non-profit and risk-free for members, it promotes a sustainable and inclusive energy model, facilitating access to PNRR funds and encouraging the participation of citizens, businesses and local authorities, especially in small municipalities.
With over 53 administrations already involved, the Foundation offers a simple system to enter the CER, guaranteeing energy savings and autonomy. Thanks to partnerships with companies such as Aboca, Beghelli, Monte dei Paschi, ENEL and WeEnergy's, participants can reduce their bill by up to 30% (or up to 60% if they are producers). The initiative contributes to the ecological transition, to the fight against energy poverty and to the economic and social development of the territories.