The 80s awarded her the primacy of oil region of Italy. The 2000s could grant it the title of avant-garde center in energy and environmental experimentation. Does Basilicata fall within the programs on the exploitation of local resources? Local politics hopes for it.
To restart with the funds of the PNRR, the government has planned the creation of 9 large research centres issues with an investment of 1,6 billion until 2026. Draghi's determination to accompany the post-pandemic recovery entrusts non-impact energy sources with a long-term structural solution.
For National Center for the Environment and Energy Technologies lin Basilicata it came forward. He wants to have that Center, make it a southern excellence and put it on the network with companies and universities. After the multi-year mining activities, there would be the historic transition from fossil sources to renewables. In the future facility, for example, all possible uses of hydrogen will be studied.
Gianni Rosa It is the Councilor for the Environment and Energy of Basilicata who is currently defining the project for his region. We interviewed him.
The Center's project is foreseen by the PNRR sent to the European Commission. How are you doing?
“We are proceeding with conviction in the candidacy process in Basilicata. Ours is a visionary and courageous project. We believe that the Center can represent a turning point in Lucan policy in favor of businesses".
Alone?
“The Region does not intend to act alone. We are working to present a project that arises from the synergy between public and private. We are trying to network research institutes and universities with businesses and territories. The protagonism of our companies will be the qualifying element together with the contribution of the institutions, research institutes and universities of Basilicata and Federico II of Naples”.
Years have passed since the first extractions in the Val d'Agri which ensured the country substantial supplies of Agri oil. How do you reconcile the birth of the Center with your environmental and energy policies?
“Basilicata takes the lead when it comes to the environment and energy. As President Vito Bardi has already said, the Region is already an energy and environmental hub. Here, naturalistic areas of great value and an abundance of energy resources coexist. We think we have what it takes to become the future Center along the entire green energy supply chain”.
In what way?
“What we need now is to encourage development that uses the resources of which the territory is rich in an eco-sustainable way, to carry out projects aimed at the efficiency of production processes and the decarbonisation of the economy. We will make our land a prototype of a zero-emission economy".
But do you also have your own hypothesis of costs and new occupation?
“If there weren't the prospect of new jobs, the project would have no reason to exist. We will make Basilicata an attractive land for investments, but above all for all the competent young people who have left due to lack of opportunities".
Before you said of visionaries and courageous....
“Are we visionaries? Surely. But if we didn't have the lofty goals we set ourselves to achieve, we'd be the old politics that 'gets by'”.
Have you thought about involving industrial partners such as Eni or other companies that operate here?
“We met in a crowded assembly which was attended by a highly qualified parterre: the institutions, the economic and social partners, the research bodies that already work and collaborate with us, the Universities, the major companies in Basilicata. Also present were those who are not from Basilicata, but operate in our area, Stellantis, Eni, Total, Shell and Mitsui".
If the project is successful, forms of collaboration will have to be found. After decades, we have moved from the simple and often contested extractions in Val d'Agri to the experimentation of processes for renewables.
“All the invited stakeholders said they were available to collaborate on our project. Something never seen in Basilicata. And all this makes us confident that the path taken is the right one".
