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Terna: Electricity consumption up 2,2% and record for renewables in 2024

In 2024, Terna reports a 2,2% increase in electricity consumption in Italy and a historic record for renewables, which cover over 40% of national energy demand. Electricity exports are growing and production from renewable sources, including photovoltaic and hydroelectric, is pushing towards a more sustainable future

Terna: Electricity consumption up 2,2% and record for renewables in 2024

Electricity consumption to grow in 2024. In the last year, Italy has recorded a increased demand of energy, with an increase of 2,2% compared to 2023. The data provided by Terna, the company that manages the national transmission network, show that energy demand has reached 312,3 billion kWha maximum peak of 57,5 GW recorded on July 18, between 15 and 16 pm. This increase was influenced by high summer temperatures, above the XNUMX-year average, which pushed consumption during the months of July and August.

A territorial level, electricity demand increased in all regions: +2,2% in the North, +2,3% in the Centre and +2,1% in the South and the Islands.

Renewable energy on the rise: photovoltaic and hydroelectric drive numbers

A positive note comes from renewable energy sector, which in 2024 covered the 41,2% of electricity demand, an absolute record. Compared to 2023, the increase was significant, going from 37,1% to 41,2%. The main protagonists were thehydroelectric (+ 30,4%) and the PV (+19,3%), with the latter reaching the record figure of 36 TWh, marking a historic milestone. Despite the positive numbers, other renewable sources have shown a decline, with wind (-5,6%) and geothermal (-0,8%) recording declines.

An increasingly interconnected market: Italy exports energy like never before

Italy has seen also increase its capacity to export energy, with an increase ofElectric export equal to 47,9% compared to 2023. In December, for the first time, exports exceeded 4.000 MW in a few hours, demonstrating how interconnections have become a fundamental tool for balancing the electricity system. Not only to import energy at advantageous prices, but also to export it, thus contributing to the flexibility of the network.

Domestic production: growth continues, but there is a decline in thermal

La net domestic energy production recorded a 2,7% increase compared to 2023, reaching 264 billion kWh. Renewable sources covered a significant share, but the thermal production saw a 6,2% decline, with a particularly marked reduction in coal production (-71%), now almost zero, except in Sardinia. This led to a decrease in CO2 emissions, estimated at over 8 million tons.

Increased storage capacity

In 2024, Italy recorded a significant increase in energy storage capacity, which has increased by 2.113 MW compared to the previous year. This result was made possible by both small plants, thanks to incentive tax policies, and large plants, through contracts provided for by the capacity market.

As of December 31, 2024, the installed power from renewable sources in Italy it reached 76,6 GW, with photovoltaic representing 48% of this capacity (37,1 GW) and wind 17% (13 GW). Furthermore, Italy exceeded the target of new installations planned for the four-year period 2021-2024, with an increase of 1.609 MW compared to the initial objectives.

In 2024, the Imcei index developed by Terna, which examines the industrial consumption of approximately 1.000 “energy-intensive” companies, was almost stationary (-0,3%). In particular, the cement, lime and plaster, paper, food and steel sectors performed positively; non-ferrous metals, chemicals, means of transport and ceramics and glass industries were down.

Electricity demand up 2,8% in December

In December 2024, the electricity demand in Italy increased by 2,8% compared to the same month of the previous year. This increase was supported by the presence of two extra working days and a lower average temperature of 1,6°C compared to December 2023. The seasonally adjusted figure, which takes into account factors such as temperature and calendar, shows a growth of 1,3%, while the cyclical variation compared to November was practically stable (+0,1%).

A territorial level, all areas recorded increases: +1,9% in the North, +3,5% in the Centre and +4,4% in the South and the Islands. Demand was c83% covered by domestic production and for the 17% from the balance with foreign countries. THE renewables met 31,7% of the monthly requirement, down from 34,3% last December.

La net domestic production increased by 4,5% compared to December 2023, with a significant increase in photovoltaic (+35,3%), thermal (+11,2%) and wind (+8,2%) sources. On the contrary, hydroelectric production decreased by 35,4% and geothermal by 1,5%. The import-export balance recorded a decrease of 3,6%, due to an increase in exports (+12,9%) and a reduction in imports (-2,2%).

In industrial sector, the Imcei index recorded a 6,5% decrease compared to December 2023, with increases in consumption in some sectors (paper, food, cement, lime, plaster, ceramics, glass, mechanics) and decreases in others (chemicals, iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, means of transport). The seasonally adjusted figure compared to the previous month remained practically unchanged (-0,1%).

Finally, l'Imser index showed a slight decline of 0,4%, although the first ten months of the year recorded an overall increase of 3,7% compared to the same period in 2023.

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