Arera recommends tankers for the next 20 years rather than a transport backbone. Methane in Sardinia is always a hot topic. Especially with a view to decarbonisation. The Authority requested a study from Ricerca Sistema Energetico (Rse), reaching the conclusion that the pipeline will become necessary and useful only if there is an economic recovery of the island. Storage tanks, therefore, but also more space for electricity and renewable sources. Elements that rekindle the debate between those in favor and against gas.
After all, the study examined the general development potential of Sardinia in a very difficult context. The continuity of the use of coal is, however, much debated due to the historical presence of coal sites. The methane diffused in the Municipalities, however, would also bring environmental benefits due to the progressive abandonment of traditional energy sources such as diesel or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). A fact recognized by all current users of traditional sources.
The study also argues that electrification is the most consistent solution with decarbonisation policies. He believes that green hydrogen is suitable for non-electrifiable uses together with renewable sources. But the fact that Sardinia has remained out of all Italian methanization plans, in particular for the southern regions, it is indicative of an up-down approach politician on national energy strategies. The government, unfortunately, accentuates them, as the high cost of civil and industrial energy, higher than all European parameters, tells us. In full transition, citizens and industries of the island are witnessing a rebound of responsibility between politicians and analysts on the opportunity to accompany decarbonization with methane gas.
It must be said that companies such as Italgas are involved in the methanisation of Sardinia with their own investments as well as public incentives. The regional council has an open discussion with the government on the issue with proposals and amendments to various decrees. A political match characterized by different visions of economic development with in between which uses of energy. Like all economic analyses, also in this case it will be necessary to see if the virtual pipeline hypothesized by Rse, the widespread cisterns, would really have lower costs than other solutions.
