During the panel “Climate of Power”, organized by La Verità, institutions and energy companies discussed the challenges of the green transition, between energy autonomy, development of renewables and obsolete infrastructures.
During “The day of truth”appointment promoted and organized by the newspaper directed by Maurizio Belpietroto tell and take stock of the great challenges of contemporaneity and on the themes that Italy is facing every day, the panel was held entitled “Climate of power”conducted by the co -director of The truth, Massimo De Manzonidedicated to the themes of greenof theenergy and the future energy production prospects.
The debate was divided into two different moments: during the first meeting De Manzoni interviewed the president of A2A, Roberto Tasca. The debate focused on energy as mix to be reconstructed: Between renewables, gas and the unknown nuclear. After the shock of 2022 due to the energy crisis followed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Italy is still in the middle of a energy transition which, although started, proceeds slowly. The almost total interruption of gas imports from Russia, reduced by82%forced the country – explained pocket – to quickly rethink its energy mix, focusing on new sources of supply, such as Algeria, Azerbaijan e Liquefied natural gas (LNG). However, the problem is not only in price, but above all of autonomy and energy safety. In the current framework, Italy internally produces 84% of the energy it consumes, but the gas still represents its 42%. Renewables cover the rest: 17% come fromhydroelectric12% from photovoltaic7% fromwind And the remainder from other sources such as Biogas. A situation that needs a decisive turning point: it is necessary to significantly increase production from renewable sources to answer both the growing demand (estimated at about 362 Teramo/now in 2030) and to the climatic objectives of Green Deal European. De Manzoni’s interview with President Tasca then continued by addressing the themes of the integrated national plan for energy and climate (PNIEC), which provides for a doubling of photovoltaic capacity and of the goldsmith by 2030: pocket illustrated the difficulties of this path, because today, for example, Italy has about 36 GW of photovoltaics, but to achieve the objectives it is necessary to get to beyond 70 GWwhich implies aacceleration never seen before. In the short term, the gas will still remain central, also for technical and network balance reasons. In this sense, it is essential to invest intechnological innovation of the plants: the most modern gas -combined cycles, such as those in the development phase in Monfalcone, offer a higher performance (up to 64%) compared to the most dated systems, with positive impacts on efficiency and costs. We then moved on to the theme of nuclearon which the approach is more cautious. According to the point of view expressed by President Tasca, it is right to consider this source as an option in medium-long periodbut by 2030 no nuclear power plant can be operational in Italy. At the moment, the priority remains accelerating the transition to cleaner sources, develop adequate infrastructures – such as i Rigassifiers – and maintain a realistic vision on what can be done in the short one. Another front to work on is that ofhydrogenwith particular attention to the distinction between the “blue” one (produced by fossil sources with the capture of the CO₂) and that “green” (produced by renewable sources). Green hydrogen represents the future, but today it has very high costs. For this reason, the possibility of importing it from countries such as theSaudi Arabiawhere the expected production cost is up to 65% lower than Italy. Hence the importance of signing International strategic agreements. Finally, the key theme of the energy pricewhich continues to weigh on families and businesses. The current system, which binds the price of energy to the cost of the last source entry into the network (often gas) generates imbalances. Examples like the Spain – which introduced a mechanism to release the price of electricity from that of gas – show that a reform is possible, albeit complex. In summary, Italy is on the way to a more sustainable and autonomous energy mix, but the finish line requires vision, investments and strategic decisions at all levels: technical, economic and political.
The second debate saw Nicolò Mardegan as protagonists (Head of Enel’s external reports), Annalisa Muccioli (Eni’s research and development manager) and Enrico Resminini (Chief Non Regulated Business Officer of Acea), always interviewed by the co -director Massimo De Manzoni.
Among the issues addressed during the comparison, which began with the intervention of Nicolò Mardeganthe need for get out of an emergency approach and finally build A structural energy planshared by institutions, businesses and territories. Long -term contracts, recently also proposed by the Prime Minister, can constitute a strategic tool to stabilize costs: they guarantee Prices fixed to buyers And certain remuneration to investorsoffering a solid base to plan on. However – he continued Mardegan– you also need More courage on the renewable front. About about Italy are installed 150 GW of plantsbut development is often blocked by bureaucratic obstacles and local oppositions. Some regions, while declaring themselves in favor of the green transition, have actually imposed moratoriums, braking the installation of new plants. Instead, it is necessary to find a balance with the territories, perhaps inspired by the German modelwhere the communities that host renewable plants receive concrete benefits, such as discounts on energy. A separate chapter deserves it hydroelectricdefined “Our blue gold”. It is a historical and strategic resource for the country, but requires urgent interventions of modernization and investments. The competitions for the renewal of concessions remain an open node, which risks paralyze the sector. The appeal to European institutions is to treat Italy like all other EU countries, which have renewed concessions to the national players without penalties.
Another key concept emerged from the debate with Annalisa Muccioli: that of the technological neutralitystrongly promoted by Eni. The energy transition cannot be based on a single technology or source: it is necessary to adopt a flexible and scientific approach, evaluating the efficiency, maturity and environmental impact of each solution. This means working both on the efficiency of current systems (such as gas production), and on innovation in the emerging sectors, come on solar panels atgreen hydrogenup to the nuclear fusionon which Eni is already active in collaboration with theMit. It was also mentioned in the need to integrate the water transition to the energy: a less debated but equally crucial theme, considering the interconnection between natural resources and sustainability. In summary, the picture that emerges is complex but clear: Italy must accelerate on the plan of planning, innovation and cooperation between public and private. Only in this way can you successfully face the energy challengetransforming it from critical issues to strategic lever for the future of the country.
Enrico Resminini introduced the theme of water transition: Italian water networks are very oldwith 30% of the infrastructures that exceeds 60 years. The losses in the network are on average of the 41%which means that, to get the water to the taps, you have to take much more, imposing water sources. This problem is aggravated by the growing demand for water, even for emerging technologies such as i Datacenter linked to artificial intelligence. The water system is then fragmented: there are over two thousand operators, and this hinders the efficiency, investments and the application of technology. Therefore one is needed Structural transition of the water marketwhich provides: digitization of networks, consolidation of operators to attract investments, a unitary governance at national and European level, a clear regulatory framework that favors public and private investments. In summary, to deal with the water crisis and modernize the sector are needed: technology, industrial scale, investments and coherent rules. The debate then started the conclusion, speaking with the guests of the electric networks and the need for update them in a context in which i consumption are growing (electrical transport, digitization, ai). Unlike the Spain – affected by a blackout due to a not adequately balanced network – Italy has already made significant investments in its network, thanks also to the PNRRwith 4 billion allocated to strengthen it, especially in South. The growing phenomenon of the “Prosumer” (consumers who produce energyfor example with the photovoltaic): it is expected that they will soon be in Italy 2 million. This involves new challenges for network management, which must become more flexible and digital, to integrate non -programmable renewable sources such as the solar and thewind. It was also reiterated that It cannot be depended on abroadneither for energy nor for technologies (like Chinese photovoltaic panels). Therefore one is needed Forte European and national industrial chainwith investments in the internal production of energy technologies.
