The higher costs for gas ed electricity of 2022 borne by the Sicilian companies will be compensated by a bonus of the region. Eight months after the publication of a 150 million euro tender, there is a favorable opinion from the European Commission. There are 3.484 companies that have applied and are now ready to collect the contributions to adjust their balance sheets. Since the publication of the notice - on 31 December last - the measure was on standby due to the risk of being considered as state aid and therefore not authorized by Brussels. The money comes from Poc 2014-2020 and from ERDF 2014-2020. The Region had chosen the path of financing due to the difficulties complained of by entrepreneurs after the war in Ukraine. It was not even an isolated case due to the blockade of Russian supplies. "The bonus has passed the scrutiny of the Commission because it is in line with the temporary framework of aid to overcome the crisis and accelerate the green transition" commented the president of Confindustria Sicilia Alexander Albanese. The list of beneficiaries includes companies from every manufacturing sector. Agriculture, fishing and banking have been excluded, at least for now. Green transition and abandonment of fossil fuels is the context within which companies will receive the most 2 million euro by next December.
No state aid
The Region explained that the aid scheme was assessed as necessary, appropriate and proportionate “thanks to a team work” says the Councilor Edy Tamayo. In the end, the EU does not seem to raise any objections to the energy incentives established in our country. It will be recalled that Lombardy was the most prodigal with an energy package of 255 million euros, while other Regions have extended support to families as well. In Basilicata - where gas is extracted - the gas bonus has been in force for a year for 140 families, which "has made the gas distribution companies in Basilicata pay more than 78 million euros", said the President of the Region Vito Bardi. What should find greater strength is national coordination towards businesses, to increase the share of use of renewables and not give the impression of local measures, always suspected of political convenience.
