Confindustria calls for accelerated renewable energy investment in Italy

Aurelio Regina, Vice President of Confindustria for energy, has called for an acceleration in renewable energy development to protect Italian manufacturing from high energy costs. With gas prices exceeding 80 euro/MWh and electricity surpassing 220 euro/MWh, Regina emphasized that investing in renewables and self-production is essential to reducing structural exposure to volatile costs.

Regina urged the removal of bureaucratic obstacles, specifically citing authorization delays and regional bottlenecks that stall renewable projects. He also advocated for the unblocking of the 'Dl Bollette' in Brussels and reforms to the Emissions Trading System (ETS). He suggested that the approximately 14 billion euros in budget flexibility for energy should be directed toward mature technologies, energy release renewal, and systemic projects, including nuclear power.

Parallel to these industrial calls, Renewable Energy Communities (CER) are expanding across Italy. These legal entities allow various actors—including municipalities, businesses, and citizens—to produce and share renewable energy. These communities are increasingly integrated into local development strategies, particularly in small towns and internal areas, where they serve to link energy production with economic development and tourism.