Il wind weighs more and more in the energy transition Italian. Between European objectives, security of supply, and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, the wind it is confirmed as one of the key technologies to accelerate the national electricity system's transformation. Growth, however, isn't automatic: infrastructure, capital, and, above all, faster authorization times are needed.
The topic returned to the centre of the debate on the occasion of World Wind Day, an event promoted by WindEurope and the Global Wind Energy Council on 15 June, which brought the spotlight back on the contribution of wind energy to decarbonization and the energy securityIn Italy, the technology has already reached significant proportions: installed capacity exceeds 13,6 GW, largely concentrated in Southern Italy and the islands, where natural conditions make wind an industrial as well as environmental resource.
Into this scenario fits the Enel's role, among the main operators involved in the development of renewable energy. In 2025, wind power will represent the 26% of total renewable capacity of the Group, a figure that confirms the growing importance of wind in the company's industrial strategy and in the path to decarbonization of the energy system.
The challenge of the Pniec: doubling capacity by 2030
The National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (Pniec) establishes theobiettivo to bring Italian wind power to approximately 28 GW by 2030. This means more than doubling the current installed capacity in a few years, a challenge that requires a clear acceleration in the implementation of projects and an administrative system capable of supporting, rather than slowing down, investments. The crux of the matter permissions It remains one of the crucial steps. Many projects are already ready, but are still stalled awaiting the necessary approvals. Flavio Cattaneo, CEO of Enel, underlined this last June during the event “Futuro Capitale” organised by the Messenger in Rome, indicating the need to "release over 150 GW of projects currently awaiting approval and focus on long-term contracts, PPAs, which provide guarantees to consumer companies that they can purchase energy at advantageous conditions."
This is where the wind energy game intersects with industrial competitiveness. Greater renewable capacity means less exposure to the volatility of fossil fuels, greater cost stability, and a concrete contribution to the country's energy security.
Enel pushes for renewables: 68 GW in the Group by the end of 2025
In its growth path towards clean energy, Enel is strengthening its presence with investments and new projects. In Italy, over the last three years, installed renewable capacity The company's renewable capacity increased by 15%, reaching approximately 17 GW at the end of 2025. On a global scale, in the same period, the Group's renewable capacity rose to approximately 68 GWThe development plan envisages further acceleration: between 2026 and 2028, Enel aims to add 15 GW of solar, wind, and BESS storage systems, supported by investments of 20 billion euros. These figures indicate the direction of the Group's industrial strategy and the contribution of renewables to meeting future energy demand.
Operating results are already beginning to reflect this trend. In the first quarter of 2026 wind energy produced by Enel has grown by more than 4% compared to the same period in 2025, a sign of the strengthening of plants and the increasingly concrete role of wind in the energy mix.
From Sicily to Puglia, wind becomes industry
The transition also passes through the territories. Plants such as Gangi e partanna, in Sicily, show how wind power can contribute to the production of clean energy, the reduction of emissions and the sustainable development of the areas in which it is built. next stop is PugliaIn 2026, Enel will launch the Latiano and Serracapriola projects, which will bring approximately 90 MW of new capacity through 15 latest-generation turbines. New plants, but also the renovation of existing ones: repowering, i.e., replacing older turbines with more efficient machines, allows for increased production while using existing infrastructure and reducing the impact of new interventions.
Alongside the industrial dimension, the'attention to landscape integration and the relationship with local communities. This is the direction in which WinDesign, the international competition promoted by Enel to design wind turbines with the most innovative and harmonious designs. The initiative attracted over 500 proposals from experts from over 60 countries, confirming that innovation in the sector can also arise from open and participatory processes.
The decisive game: unlocking the projects
The trajectory of Italian wind power is set, but the final result It will depend on the ability to transform plans into construction sites and construction sites into energy production. The Pniec targets require a significant acceleration, while future demand will require an increasingly large share of renewable energy.
For this reason the simplification of authorization procedures It's not a technical detail, but a essential condition for energy security and for the competitiveness of the production system. Wind can become a strategic lever for Italy, but only if investments, rules and infrastructure can move at the same speed as the transition.
