Overview
For renewable energy systems, several types of support mechanisms exist, depending on the technology, size and use of the installation. For instance, wind and solar energy technologiesare promoted through tax deductions. The electricity from renewable energy sources fed into the grid can be sold on the free market or to the publicly owned GSE on a guaranteed minimum price (“ritiro dedicato”). In case the price on the free market is higher than the guaranteed minimum price the price difference will be reimbursed. Alternatively, renewable energy prosumers can opt for net-metering (“scambio sul posto”) which provides economical compensation to renewable energy plant operators for the electricity fed into the grid. “Ritiro dedicato” and “scambio sul posto” are not combinable.
National Energy Strategy set the ambitious target of an RES share of 28 % of gross final energy consumption by 2030, comprising a target share of 55 % for electricity (set at 33.5 % in 2015).
Summary of support system
- Auction and Registry (FER1 Decree) - The incentives provided in the FER 1 decree are accessible through two types of auctioning systems: auctions for large plants and registers for medium-sized plants
- Feed-in tariff (Ritiro dedicato): Electricity generated from renewable energy sources fed into the grid can be sold on the free market or to the GSE on a guaranteed minimum price.
- Net-Metering (scambio sul posto): A scheme that allows prosumers to feed their access (not used) electricity into the grid, and get compensated for it.
- Tax regulation mechanisms (Reduction in value-added tax): renewable energy generation is promoted through VAT tax deductions.
Competent authorities
- The Revenue Agency
- GSE
- MiSE
- ARERA