Italy has set a new target of generating 65% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, an increase from the previous target of 55%, as reported by Reuters on June 30. This updated target is part of Italy’s revised National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), which has been submitted to the European Commission by the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE). The revised NECP also aims for renewables to account for 40% of gross energy consumption across all sectors, up from the previous target of 30% outlined three years ago. Italy plans to expand its installed renewable energy capacity to 131 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, from 58GW at end-2021. The European Commission will review and approve Italy’s revised NECP by June 2024.

Italy seeks to find a realistic path leading to an energy transition sustainable for the Italian economy by revising its climate targets. The MASE stated the revised plan meets “almost all targets” set out by the EU, and in some cases exceeds them. For carbon-intensive sectors such as the power industry, the NECP aims to reduce emissions by 62% by 2030, in line with the EU’s goals. For energy-light industries like transport, housing, and agriculture, the plan projects a 35% to 37% reduction in emissions, slightly below the EU’s requirement of 43.7%. To achieve these targets, Italy plans to increase the use of renewables in transport, heating, air conditioning, and hydrogen production. Additionally, the promotion of green hydrogen in industrial sectors is emphasized in the plan.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/italy-aims-turn-up-renewable-power-two-thirds-total-by-2030-2023-06-30/

https://renewablesnow.com/news/italy-calls-for-65-renewables-goal-in-revised-energy-plan-827555/

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/italy-sends-brussels-new-energy-climate-goals-2030-2023-07-03/

https://taiyangnews.info/markets/italy-raising-renewable-energy-ambition/