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Overview
The development of the installations using renewable energy sources for heating purposes is supported by subsidies (Conto Termico). Heat pumps (aerothermal, geothermal, hydrothermal), biomass, and solar thermal are eligible technologies and the incentive is granted for a period varying between 2 and 5 years. Moreover, a tax regulation mechanism is in place to increase energy efficiency, which includes the promotion of renewable energy sources for heating.
Apart from that, municipalities must include RES technologies in district heating and cooling networks in their development plans. And all new buildings and buildings undergoing major refurbishment must integrate installations generating heating or cooling from renewable energy sources.
The National Energy Strategy set the ambitious target of an RES share of 28% of gross final energy consumption by 2030, with 30% of the target share compromised by thermal energy (19.2 % in 2015). -
Summary of support schemes
- Subsidy (Conto termico) - Installing heat pumps, biomass and solar thermal installations for heating purposes is supported through subsidies aimed at the redevelopment of buildings.
- Tax regulation mechanism (Superbonus) - Promotes greater efficiency and the renewable energy sources for heating and cooling, by providing a 110% tax detraction of the expenditure.
- Support of RES-H infrastructure - Municipalities must include RES technologies in district heating and cooling networks in their development plans.
- RES-H building obligations - All new buildings and buildings undergoing major refurbishment must integrate installations generating heating or cooling from renewable energy sources.
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Competent authorities
- ENEA
- The Revenue Agency
- GSE
- Regional authorities
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Summary
According to the NECP, Italy is planning to increase the gross final energy consumption from RES by 30%. The growth of renewables in the electricity sector is predicted to be a major contributor to this goal with a generation capacity that will satisfy 55% of the total national consumption by 2030. While Solar PV already constitute a significant share of the Italian RES-E, to achieve the mentioned goals solar capacity expected to increase from 19 to 52 gigawatts (GW) and wind from 10 to 19 GW (mostly onshore).
This section will focus on permitting and authorisation process for the following RES technologies: onshore wind, ground-mounted PV and rooftop PV.
The process is composed of four mains steps:
First, site selection is commenced by requesting the town planning designation certificate and identifying suitable and unsuitable areas. Then the lease or purchase of the land on which the plant is to be installed is required.
The administrative authorisation process is the most complex step. Local authorities implement legislation following state guidelines. The type and scope of the authorisation depends on plant’s size and location. Ground-mounted PV and onshore wind projects in Italy mostly undergo the Single Authorisation, the Single Regional Authorisation or the Single Environmental Permitting procedures. For small-scale rooftop PV systems, a Communication Procedure is mainly applied while the Single National Model for the Construction, Connection and Operation of Small Photovoltaic Systems is applied for the approval of small rooftop PV systems below 50 KW.
Finally, when repowering a RES plant there are simplifications depending on the size of modifications. In the event of substantial modifications, Single Authorisation Procedure applies while “non substantial” revamping can be authorized through a Simplified Authorisation Procedure.
The grid connection approval is based on a bilateral agreement between the project developer and the local grid operator. Renewable energy plants have priority in terms of connection and if required, extension of the grid.
Tax obligations differ depending on whether the electricity is generated for self-consumption or sold entirely to the grid. -
Sequential order of process steps
1. Site selection process 2. Administration authorization 3. Grid connection permit 4. Corporate legal-fiscal
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Competent authorities
- CMA
- regional authority
- MiBAC
- TERNA
