The analyses proposed by the Althesys’s Irex Annual Report 2022 and the Energy & Strategy Group’s Renewable Energy Report 2022 are key takeaways for understanding the current status of renewables and their development opportunities. This is exactly why EF Solare decided to support the realization of these studies and took part in the presentation events providing the point of view of the first photovoltaic operator in Italy.
THE CURRENT STATUS OF RENEWABLES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COUNTRY’S ENERGY FUTURE
The energy scenario has rapidly changed in recent months and requires a stronger commitment to reach decarbonization goals, also in order to achieve the country’s energy independence.
Renewables play a strategic role that makes them key players for a sustainable transition in Europe, also promoting the development of local supply chains.
In this context, the analyses proposed by the Althesys’s Irex Annual Report 2022 and the Energy & Strategy Group’s Renewable Energy Report 2022 are key takeaways for understanding the current status of renewables and their development opportunities. This is exactly why EF Solare decided to support the realization of these studies and took part in the presentation events providing the point of view of the first photovoltaic operator in Italy.
Reducing uncertainty for the development of photovoltaics and renewables
Our CEO Andrea Ghiselli, during the presentation of the Irex annual report 2022, pointed out that in a delicate period, such as the one we are experiencing, the country cannot fall behind in the development of renewables and in particular photovoltaics, which continues to be the driving technology. As indicated also in the report, last year in Europe nearly 26 GW of photovoltaics were connected to the grid with a growth of 34 % compared to 2020. Unfortunately, Italy in recent years has averaged less than 1 GW of new installations per year, far behind the results of other European countries, such as Spain, which installed nearly 4 GW of PV in just 2021.
During his speech, Andrea Ghiselli said there are significant development opportunities for the sector that can support the ecological transition in a non-divisive and quick way. Agro-photovoltaics and revamping and repowering activities of existing plants indeed can be the key to increased clean energy production through careful interventions on the territory with zero land consumption and positive social impact. However, in addition to the problems related to the supply chain and logistics that have generated an increase in the prices of plant components in recent months, there are still specific issues that hold back the development of the sector in our country, such as slowdowns in plant permitting. In this challenging context, it becomes essential to reduce uncertainty. Therefore, it will be essential to have Government’s action plans aimed, on one hand, at simplifying the bureaucracy of permitting processes and, on the other hand, at acting organically and coherently through initiatives that have a clear medium-term vision on all business components.
Awareness and commitment to the development of innovative energy solutions
Ettore Acampora, our Head of Business Development & Energy Management, pointed out during the presentation of the Renewable Enegry Report 2022 (“RER 2022”) that in recent years there has been an increasing awareness about clean energy.
However, the results obtained are still not enough to achieve the national targets set and therefore it is necessary today to accelerate the development of green energy in order to reach decarbonization. As shown in the 2022 ERR, the targets for renewables have been increased during 2021 by the European “Fit for 55%” package. Therefore, Italy will also have to move from 55% to 72% renewables energy for electricity generation as the 2030 target. This will require installing about 70 GW additional renewable electricity generation plants.
The sector and the entire renewables market in Italy are currently experiencing big changes and innovations, so it will be important to follow the developments in order to face the path as best as possible and seize the opportunities ahead for the national energy future.
At EF Solare, we want to do our part by continuing to work to enhance the value of existing plants and promoting innovative models that integrate photovoltaics and agriculture. Along with this, we will continue to develop new business models that can meet the needs of the territory, looking for innovative energy solutions where the renewable plant becomes an energy hub that enables services to create value not only for the energy sector, but more broadly for society and its economy.