It's time for the state energy efficiency fund. The 70 million euros per year foreseen have been released. For the next three years, they will be used for low-interest loans and guarantees on local energy efficiency projects. The green light came from the Unified State-Regions Conference, albeit with considerable delay. On the table was the decree of the Ministries of Economic Development and the Environment which establishes, in fact, how to use resources. Success achieved, but with some red tape. In the two ministries they have to start making changes.
The central point, examined for a long time by the local authorities, concerns the energy efficiency operations to cover a maximum of 80% of the loans disbursed by the banks. The mechanism is provided for by a legislative decree of 2014. And with a view to improving the performance of local authorities, the State has taken charge of assisting good practices. Until 2020, the resources you can count on are certain. Not for this, however, the projects will run away quickly. It will be necessary to evaluate its concrete effectiveness, especially if referred to the guidelines of the new national energy strategy. Therefore, having overcome the three-year delay since 2014, only the latest corrections to the text are awaited.
That the discussion in the Joint Conference was very specific can also be understood from the debt limit. The banks grant loans, but the caution of the State, or of the Fund, in guaranteeing them is considered limiting. It has been requested to review the maximum exposure thresholds on the assumption that in local realities energy projects can have multiple contexts. Proof is the strong call to the commitment of Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna and Veneto - of the Po Valley - with the opportunity to financially support projects concerning biomass plants as well.
These are the Regions where the air quality is among the worst in Europe committed to the regional integrated air plans. In their business, the trust of lenders is of strategic importance. For this they expect higher guarantees. Even more, we can say, if we agree with the estimates of the Energy Strategy of the Milan Polytechnic, according to which the Fund, by 2030, will help to achieve 30% of the objectives of the national energy strategy.
