The "energy transition is that digital" represent two twin challenges "that concern the structure of the production system, and on which much of the well-being that we can expect in the coming years, or rather decades, depends". This was stated in L'Aquila by the general director of the Bank of Italy, Luigi Federico Signorini, among the protagonists of the two-day study on the "structural challenges of the Italian economy". A journey in stages that is part of the initiative 'Traveling with the Bank of Italy'.
“Especially on the digital front – he said – the whole of Europe now needs to give itself a shake-up. In terms of advanced technologies, theEurope is not keeping pace with the United States, China and other large economies”. Regarding the Italian situation, “the delay is palpable – he underlined – in particular in the adequacy of digital services in public administration and in the provision of human capital. In the private sector, the adoption of advanced digital technologies is very heterogeneous; the gaps have a strong impact on the performance differentials between leading companies and companies that are lagging behind”.
Regarding the energy transition, Signorini's analysis does not ignore the progress already made: "In Italy - he said - the production capacity of electricity from renewable sources has gone from less than a quarter of the total in 2000 to almost half in 2022. It is especially starting from 2022 that we have seen a strong acceleration of new installations, especially photovoltaic, also in relation to the crisis caused by the Russian aggression in Ukraine. In 2023 and in the first half of 2024 it has accelerated further. The increase in installed solar power has affected both the largest and the smallest plants".
To continue in this direction, "in addition to promoting the installation of plants that produce and exploit renewable energy - Signorini underlined - it is also necessary to strengthen infrastructures". Public investments and "reasonably simple, moderate and stable incentives and functioning markets without excessive distortions are also necessary; regulatory and bureaucratic simplifications are needed".
