Italian energy leaders call for technological diversification

Executives from Italy’s major energy and infrastructure companies—including Eni, Snam, Terna, Enel, Edison, and Cdp—have called for a pragmatic, multi-technology approach to ensure national and European competitiveness. Speaking at the Moneta Forum in Rome, leaders emphasized that Italy must move beyond a singular focus on the Green Deal to embrace a mix of gas, renewables, nuclear power, hydroelectricity, and battery storage.

Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi criticized European policy, stating that the continent must stop treating energy as an accessory and instead view it as a central strategic priority. He suggested that Italy should look toward Africa for energy resources, similar to how the United States engages with South America. Snam CEO Agostino Scornajenchi advocated for “energy integration” rather than a simple transition, noting the need for better European coordination on gas storage.

Other key points included Terna’s focus on expanding the grid to meet the rising energy demands of data centers, and Enel’s assessment that approximately 50 GW of additional renewable capacity is required to meet 2030 targets. The consensus among the leaders was a need for increased investment in infrastructure and scale to compete with the United States and China.