Connection to the grid
Every interested user has the right to request the connection to district heating and district cooling grids developed on public land. The operators are required to justify with technical or economic reasons an eventual rejection to the request.
Use of the grid
The use of the grid is typically regulated by the specific supply contracts between the operator and the customer.
The interruption of the heat supply contract and the possibly disconnection from the grid may have some costs, defined in the specific supply contract, for the operator to cover the related costs.
The continuity and quality of the supply of heat are regulated by ARERA. Interruptions without prior notice longer than 12 hours generally make the final users eligible for an automatic compensation.
Grid development
Public and private organisations can develop and own district heating and district cooling grids, as well as the plants for the heat supply.
Competent authorities
The key competent authorities in the management of the district heating and district cooling grids in Italy are:
- Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica (MASE): it is responsible, together with the rest of the Government and the Parliament, for the identification of national targets and policies, the development of legislation around the energy system and the authorisation processes, as well as in the management of the permitting processes concerning the largest energy plants.
- Autorità di Regolazione per Energia Reti e Ambiente (ARERA): independent regulation authority for the electricity, gas, water, district heating / district cooling, and waste disposal sectors.
- Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE): fully public company entrusted with the promotion and development of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.
Key references
- DECRETO LEGISLATIVO 4 luglio 2014, n. 102
- ARERA – Atti e provvedimenti - Teleriscaldamento
- ARERA – Atlante per il Consumatore - Teleriscaldamento
- ARERA - Delibera 23 novembre 2021 526/2021/R/tlr - Disposizioni in materia di qualità commerciale dei servizi di teleriscaldamento e teleraffrescamento per il secondo periodo di regolazione
- ARERA - Delibera 25 luglio 2023 346/2023/R/tlr - Disposizioni in materia di qualità tecnica dei servizi di teleriscaldamento e teleraffrescamento (RQTT)