The increase in generation capacity from renewables together with a robust strengthening/strengthening of the Italian supply chain, it can lead up to 361 billion euros of economic benefits ea 540 new jobs of work in the electrical sector and in its industrial chain in 2030. An upward estimate compared to what was estimated by the PNIEC (Integrated National Plan for Energy and Climate) in 2019 according to which the benefits would have stopped at 226 billion euros with the creation of 180 thousand jobs.
These are the main conclusions of the studio "The Italian supply chain of technologies for renewable and smart energy towards 2030" by Enel Foundation made with Althesys ed Future electricity which was presented at the event organized in Rome by Elettricità Futura, Enel Foundation and Althesys.
"We are facing a unique opportunity, and if we want to fully seize it, the time to act is now". It doesn't go around it Francesco Starace, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Enel. "In the coming years there will be an increasing need for technologies, skills and strategic vision to support the energy transition and Italy will only be able to play a leading role by creating and strengthening a national value chain capable of competing on the international scene". But without depending on foreign countries.
Towards 2030: the Italian supply chain of renewable technologies and smart energy
Considering different development scenarios, the study evaluates the economic and employment benefits linked to the growth of the supply chain itself and to the diffusion of the renewable generation capacity necessary to achieve the objectives of decarbonization to 2030. Second Alessandro Marangoni, Chief Executive Officer of Althesys "the socio-economic benefits for Italy deriving from the development of this sector are substantial and could be equivalent to up to 2% of annual GDP between now and 2030". And again that "the energy transition is an extraordinary opportunity for industrial growth for our country".
The study estimates that “at least 790 companies attributable to the renewable and smart energy supply chain are active in Italy today. Of these, almost 400 are specialized in this sector. Overall, the production value of these companies amounts to 12,4 billion euros, equal to 0,7% of the Italian GDP, guaranteeing a reliable and quality offer of technologies for electricity grids, components for energy generation, geothermal, heat pumps, but still limited on basic elements of the energy transition such as photovoltaic modules, wind turbines and batteries”.
Electricity sector: scenarios up to 2030
The study highlights how the growth of the renewable energy generation capacity combined with a boost to the development of the Italian supply chain in the sector can bring significant economic, social and energy independence benefits.
In the most ambitious scenario, they are installed 85 GW of renewable capacity combined with robust growth in the Italian supply chain's ability to satisfy internal demand with "Made in Italy" technology: this will make it possible to obtain over 360 billion euros of economic benefits and half a million additional jobs. But to obtain the maximum benefits from the investments that will be made in the next 7 years, underlines the research, Italy must rapidly implement a clear and concrete national strategy, aimed at encouraging the installation of additional renewable generation power and creating the conditions for the development of a competitive industrial capacity.
Starace (Enel): “We have the best grid in the world”
The manager intervened in defense of the national industry. "We have the best digital network in the world, we are strong in our ability to innovate and in entrepreneurship, but sometimes the Italian energy industry is more recognized abroad than in our country", said Starace, commenting on the 2030 Plan for the electricity sector. According to Enel's number one, “we should be concerned that a competitive Italian energy industry will go abroad because it does not see growth opportunities in Italy. There is no energy system that evolves by throwing what was there before out the window, there is a geological sedimentation of technologies”. “The fact that we are now moving towards a system that places electricity at the center – observed Starace – makes energy more competitive, more stable and less volatile. Now another game begins, that of the electrification of consumption. Electricity grids become fundamental”.
“We exceeded one million systems connected last year. Italy is capable of doing what other countries do not. This allows us to make some observations: it is possible to continue to let energy penetrate the systems: it is possible to make electric machines and heat pumps coexist if the network is digitalised, provided that widespread storage is put into circulation”, concluded the CEO.
Re Rebaudengo (Future Electricity): "Italy still too dependent on foreign countries"
Secondo Agostino Re Rebaudengo, president of Elettricità Futura, we still depend too much on foreign countries. “Italy is still in an energy emergency”. According to 2022 data, 55% of electricity in Italy was produced from gas, 35% from renewables and 10% from coal. “We import 90% of hydrocarbons, in addition to 14% of the electricity we consume”, underlined Re Rebaudengo, adding that “in order to be independent, it is necessary to increase production in our country”.
“The 2030 Plan for the electricity sector is a path to national independence and security, as well as decarbonisation, and a development strategy for the electricity supply chain, moreover, in line with European objectives. The Plan envisages connecting 85 GW of new renewables to the grid by 2030, bringing renewables to 84% of the electricity mix. Reaching this goal, over the next 7 years Italy will be able to reduce gas imports by 160 billion cubic meters with savings of 110 billion euros”, concluded the president of Elettricità Futura.
The words of Ministers Pichetto and Urso
“Electricity produced from renewable sources – explained the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilbert Pichetto – represents the fundamental way to implement the goals we have set ourselves by 2050. This sector today represents the economic and cultural engine of the energy transition, capable of activating up to half a million new green jobs within ten years”. "The knowledge and talent of Italian entrepreneurship - she concludes - can build our energy security, in environmental sustainability".
"Italy and Europe must work together for full energy and technological sovereignty, also aiming at autonomy in terms of fundamental raw materials". Underlined the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso adding that “we must create a strategic response from Europe and the West to the challenge, also of values, which is being posed to us by China and Russia. We need rules in line with the requests of companies and resources that guarantee those who invest in renewable and green ones".
