Italy's offshore-wind push is stagnant, putting climate targets at risk
Analysts say that Italian plans to harness the offshore wind power are coming to a grinding halt. This puts the country's goals for climate change at risk and hits firms who have invested in this sector.
A government decree from 2024 offered incentives for 3.8 gigawatts of?capacity?by 2028. However, the contracts were never awarded due to bureaucratic and regulation hurdles. This has prevented billions of euro in potential investments.
The August 2013 decree approved by the Italian government targeted renewable technologies like floating platforms that are suitable for deep Mediterranean water. AERO, the Italian offshore energy lobby, says that 26 projects with a combined capacity of 18 GW have been submitted for environmental approval since then.
The environment ministry has approved four of them, but they cannot be implemented without the competitive auctions promised, and frustration in the industry is growing.
The head of AERO warned that Italy was falling behind its key European 'partners' and hurting firms who have invested millions in developing projects for auction.
In a letter sent to the Energy and Environment Minister last week, Fulvio Capria, AERO's chief executive officer wrote: "The country cannot continue to delay."
Experts say that without the offshore wind sector Rome could miss the renewable energy targets approved by the government last July. These include 28.1 GW total wind capacity in 2030. This is an increase from the current 13 GW.
Giorgia?Meloni, the right-wing Italian Prime Minister, is frequently criticized by environmental groups for her lack of commitment towards climate policies. She calls the Green Deal of the European Union "ideological," and warns that it will lead to "industrial desertification."
Offshore wind has a lot of potential for Italy. It is a Mediterranean peninsula, with limited space to install solar or onshore generators. Yet, the country is far behind its European counterparts.
Britain has over 15 GW in offshore capacity. This is a result of mature auctions and subsides. Germany is next with around 9 GW, mainly due to aggressive North Sea projects. Italy operates only one small farm of 30 megawatts. (Reporting and editing by Susan Fenton, Gavin Jones)
(source: Reuters)
