Italy is in 10th position in wind power with 12.7 Gigawatt installed capacity, generating 7 % of total power generation in 2021. This article will discuss wind energy in Italy and investigate the ambitions, strategies, and new and upcoming onshore wind power plants. It will also shed light on the key players and the challenges plaguing the wind energy sector. Wind energy will be crucial in Italy’s quest to reach net zero by 2050.
Ambition:
The Ministry of Environment and Energy Security submitted a proposal for the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan, under which it intends to generate about 65 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. In addition, renewable energy is presumed to produce about 40 per cent of gross energy consumption in sectors like power production, housing, and transportation.
Moreover, it intends to install 131 Gigawatt of renewable energy capacity by 2030, up from 58 Gigawatt in 2021. The projection indicates that solar power capacity will surge from 22 gigawatts to 79 gigawatts by 2030—wind power will increase to 28.1 gigawatts by 2030 from 11.2 gigawatts.
Upcoming Onshore Wind Power Plants:
- Monte Grighine wind power project is in Sardinia, owned by Athena Investments and EDF Energia Italia and developed by EDF Energia Italia. It was built initially in 2010 with 98.9 Megawatt in active capacity and 60 Megawatt in pipeline capacity.
- The Montarato wind power project is in Apulia. It is at the permitting stage and expected to be constructed in a single phase and commissioned in 2025 with a 121.9-megawatt capacity.
- Nulvi Ploaghe Expansion wind power project is in Sardinia. It is at the permitting stage, expected to be constructed in a single phase and commissioned in 2025 with a 121.50-megawatt capacity.
- Borgo Mezzanone wind power project is in Apulia, owned and under development by WPD Italia. It is at the permitting stage, expected to be constructed in a single phase and commissioned in 2025 with a 119.35-megawatt capacity.
- Ariano Irpino wind power project is in Campania, owned and under development by WEB Windenergie. It is at the permitting stage, expected to be constructed in a single phase and commissioned in 2025 with an 84-megawatt capacity.
Top Operators:
- ERG S.P.A., headquartered in Genoa, was founded in 1938. It is an energy company specialising in producing electricity from wind and solar energy in Europe.
- Enel S.P.A., headquartered in Rome, was founded in 1962. This company manufactures and distributes electricity, specializing in harnessing solar, wind energy, geothermal power, and hydropower.
- Alerion Clean Power S.P.A., headquartered in Milan, was founded in 1995. A utility company focused on renewable energy, employing wind, solar power, and biomass.
- Falck Renewables S.P.A., headquartered in Milan, was founded in 2002. They develop, finance, construct and operate wind, solar energy and biomass plants.
- Asja Ambiente Italia, headquartered in Piedmont, was founded in 1995. They operate wind energy, solar energy and biogas plants. They offer asset management services and carbon reduction reforestation projects.
Challenges:
- The primary challenge lies in geography, as a significant portion of wind resources is situated in the South, whereas energy consumption is predominantly higher in the North. This misalignment creates stress on the energy transmission infrastructure.
- Another significant challenge is the permitting process, which is both time-consuming and expensive due to the need for regulatory approvals. For example, acquiring a permit can take up to five years because of bureaucratic bottlenecks.
- The third hindrance is about balancing the environment and renewable energy production. For instance, wind power projects can cause visual and noise pollution in the local community.
Conclusion:
Italy, ranking 10th globally in wind power, generated 7% of its total power from 12.7 Gigawatts in 2021. Amidst ambitious plans for net zero by 2050, the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan targets 65% renewable electricity by 2030. Projected growth includes 131 Gigawatts in total renewable capacity, with wind power rising to 28.1 Gigawatts. Upcoming projects like Borgo Mezzanone and Montarato highlight strategic expansion. Top operators ERG, Enel, Alerion Clean Power, Falck Renewables, and Asja Ambiente play crucial roles. However, challenges persist, including geographical disparities, lengthy permitting processes, and the delicate balance between environmental and energy production concerns. Tackling these hurdles is crucial for Italy’s green energy aspirations.
End Notes
https://www.power-technology.com/features/wind-energy-by-country/?cf-view
https://www.climate-transparency.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/CT2021Italy.pdf
https://www.montelnews.com/news/1508422/italy-boosts-2030-renewable-capacity-goal-to-131-gw
https://www.power-technology.com/marketdata/power-plant-profile-monte-grighine-italy/?cf-view
https://www.power-technology.com/data-insights/power-plant-profile-montaratro-wind-farm-italy/
https://www.power-technology.com/marketdata/power-plant-profile-borgo-mezzanone-wind-farm-italy/
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/italy-wind-energy-market/companies
https://www.erg.eu/en/our-energy/wind
https://www.enel.com/company/services-and-products
https://www.alerion.it/en/contact-us/
https://www.vectorenewables.com/en/media-en/blog/renewable-energies-in-italy
https://www.evwind.es/2023/06/24/italys-offshore-wind-potential/92429
