With 70 member companies, 10.000 megawatts of power installed, 5 subjects involved and development prospects with the European climate and energy plan, the Italian wind industry is in the midst of the energy transition. “We want to reach 12.680 Megawatts by 2020”, explains Simone Togni, president of the National Wind Energy Association (Anev), in this interview with FIRSTonline.
A good goal, but what is the national scenario?
“In recent years we have recorded a slowdown in the business, including 2018. The new ministerial decree that will regulate the 2019-2021 period will not bring significant and obvious benefits in 2019, because the construction times of the plants are not compatible with such short term times expiration. The decree is in draft form, but the numbers that have been entered are important. In 2020/21/22 we should have installations in substantial numbers. If we proceed also for the following years, there could be a recovery of delays by 2030 ".
Lega and M5S have inherited a long-term energy strategy. They too want renewables even if the measures are yet to come. What judgment do you give?
“The National Energy Strategy launched by the previous government identified ambitious trend and sectoral objectives in a very positive way. They were and are in line with the European targets for 2020. In the meantime, however, there has been a lack of preparation of the tools necessary to achieve those objectives. Now, by the end of 2019, Italy is called to send the Climate and Energy Plan to Brussels. Pathways and tools necessary to support the growth of renewable energies will be defined in line with the objectives for 2030 and 2050. What the government in office has done for now is to have prepared a decree which should allow reaching 2021 with an increase in important renewables. We will see".
What do you ask?
“Anev is in dialogue with the government on issues of particular interest. We are precisely defining the objectives for 2030, when our commitment could contribute with a doubling of the current power and a significant increase in electricity production. Our industry in recent years, thanks to the large number of industrial operators, has managed to become an exporter of technology. We are doing well, both in the construction of wind turbines and in the production of electromechanical components. A high industrial level which, with newly produced wind turbines, guarantees a cost per kilowatt hour that is lower than the cost per kilowatt hour generated on the market".
Are there any effects on the electricity bill?
"Yes. Supporting the growth of our plants means an overall reduction in the cost of the electricity bill. The achievement of market parity for Italian wind power must be a driver of acceleration in the implementation of new initiatives. The industry, national employment, the environment and also the pockets of consumers would benefit from it”.
But you have to make investments. Wind farms are now obsolete.
“The 10.000 Megawatts installed are the offspring of a process born in the mid-90s. We have a composite fleet, but still efficient. It is made up of one third of very old plants, one part of plants that are still efficient and another part made up of latest generation plants. For the 2030 and 2050 objectives, the sector will inevitably have to accelerate with respect to new installations. On the one hand, it will be necessary to start an important authorization simplification work to allow for the modernization of the obsolete Park. On the other hand, it will be necessary to proceed with the replacement of old generation systems with modern machines. The modernization of the Park would also guarantee a reduction of the impact on the landscape. In fact, each new generation wind turbine replaces 3 to 5 obsolete machines with the same power. A general simplification plan will allow us to achieve the objectives more efficiently and with timescales compatible with the objective of reducing climate-changing emissions".
