The Italian government's decree for energy communities of up to five Gigawatts has been approved by the European Commission. This is how it startsself-consumption from renewable sources with a view to establishing more communities in cities. It's a before purchasing, stone in the creation of territorial solidarity structures to contain waste, increase efficiency and involve more people in the transition.
“It is a new historical phase in the relationship between citizens and energy,” said the environment minister Gilbert Pichetto Fratin.
But what does the decree say? First of all, two measures: an incentive tariff on the energy produced and shared among participants and a non-repayable contribution. Validity is until 2027. CERs can be formed by groups of citizens, condominiums, small and medium-sized businesses, but also local authorities, cooperatives, associations and religious bodies. The power of individual systems must not exceed one megawatt. However, the structural limits must also be respected for an energy distribution principle.
Italian energy communities: they are few and must increase
For the communities that will arise municipalities under 5 thousand inhabitants, the contribution to the fund covers up to 40% of eligible costs with a power of 2 Gigawatts. The money to be disbursed is covered by 2,2 billion from the PNRR and concern all renewable technologies: photovoltaic, wind, hydroelectric, biomass.
“The initial step for the creation of a CER, after the identification of the area interested in the construction of the plant and the primary substation - explains the ministry - is the deed of incorporation of the association, which must have as its main social object the benefits environmental, economic and social".
At this point in the process they enter the field authorizations and permits necessary to make the community and the decree itself useful. In all of Italy there are around forty CERs today and we cannot take the risk after so much waiting and money ready to impoverish such an innovative process between certified e-mail, visas and provisions.
“We expect a rapid publication of the decree so that the CERs can be quickly operational – says the President of the FREE coordination, Attilio Piattelli. “One suggestion we would like to offer is to monitor the development of CERs in metropolitan areas”.
It is true that everything is under the control of the GSE, which is primarily responsible for verifying the requirements for the benefits, but it is not a given that everything goes smoothly even in the municipalities.
It would not be out of place for an invitation from Minister Pichetto Fratin himself not to hinder the practices, in particular when he hopes that "renewable energy communities will be able to become a widespread reality in the country". Maybe he's thinking about it:
