The national energy strategy approved the other day by the government is generating the first effects. On the Stock Exchange and on the supply of gas and electricity. Companies and multiutilities move with perspicacity. The Spigas – Canarbino Group (with the German EnBW) has acquired 30% of Nuovenergie, a company active in the marketing of gas and electricity. It has a portfolio of 30.000 families in the Municipalities of Rho, Pero, Settimo Milanese, Cornaredo, Magenta and has historic roots in Rho since the 50s.
It is a functional operation to develop the growth of the company in the territories, to enhance its sector projects and strategies. In the corporate disclosure it is explained that the operation is based on federal principles which will not affect the identity of the companies and their territorial roots. The competition between local subjects to increase market shares and push on technologies, after all, is one of the key points of the strategy endorsed by the Gentiloni government.
The functional aggregation of operators under a single brand becomes a necessity, if only for the acceleration of global market openings and the transition to customers' free choices in the electric sector. The operational certainties to and from customers, even in consolidated territorial areas, are lessened under the blows of aggregation processes and corporate mergers. The medium-small size of many Italian energy service managers will not stand the test of time and the interests of giants.
To what extent consumers and investors will be protected is not yet clear. But it is interesting that the State is also taking charge of it. At least since he started reforming local utility companies.
The reform is proceeding slowly, but as well as in Lombardy, also in the Marches it will have been the effect of the energy strategy that outlined a new future for Multiservizi SpA. The Assembly of Mayors of the shareholder Municipalities has given the green light to entry into Estra SpA (historic network services company) with a 10% share. With 42 million euros, Multiservizi sells 55% of the subsidiary Edma and acquires 10% of Estra.
The closing of the transaction is by the end of 2017 with added value expected from 2018 in gas distribution. The gas sector is dominant in the planning of Italian supplies. The theses in support of its centrality in the rebalancing between traditional and renewable sources also come from the European Commission. The dossiers opened in Brussels concern infrastructures, technological innovations, transport, in the examination of which Italy has placed a strong candidacy.
The Vice-President of the Commission, Maros Sefcovi has recognized this commitment - specifically to Snam - in the context of a sustainable economy. Here we no longer even fear local repercussions on large transport infrastructures. Their construction gives much more economic and social certainties than contingent political disputes. The Tap pipeline will deliver the first gas in 2020 and in Valle d'Aosta the project for a pipeline in the Ayas valley has just been approved.
Strategy, certainties and diversification of sources, investments, capitalization outline a compelling scenario where it is not only money that counts, but also environmental sensitivity and vision. Italy has the opportunity to make a leap in quality and credit must be given to those who have recalled Enrico Mattei's "gambles" in the 60s in recent days. Today it would be even more stimulating from an environmentally friendly development perspective - and I quote Gianni Silvestrini, director of the Kyoto club - if the European Commission thoroughly examined the request (with continental significance) of the Italian Enel to raise the renewable energy target to 2030, from 27 to 35%.
