The evolution of the geopolitical framework and the increasingly complex economic situation are posing new challenges to climate-energy policies aimed at decarbonization, calling into question their economic and social sustainability.
In this context, the Althesys study for KEY aims to understand how to combine the energy transition with the competitiveness of European and Italian companies. The analysis therefore combines geopolitical and policy aspects of Europe and the main global blocs, with the evolution of technologies, their costs, and the institutional and industrial structures of various nations.
The study jointly considers “macro” and global issues with the specific economic-financial and industrial reality of some countries, Italy first and foremost, considering the triad of electricity generation-storage-networks in light of decarbonization objectives from a joint perspective of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This, of course, in the face of evolving energy demand and therefore efficiency. Digitalization, artificial intelligence, and data centers will certainly be among the drivers of the latter.
How does Italy position itself in these respects? How is the energy transition progressing and what prospects does it have?
In recent years, our country has seen significant development in renewables, with growing investments in photovoltaics, wind power, and storage. In 2024, projects worth 121 billion euros and 86.6 GW were identified, with a 60% growth over the previous year (source Althesys). However, only a part will be realized, with authorization procedures and NIMBY phenomena still hindering utility-scale projects. In offshore wind, for example, Italy is still at a standstill. The consequence is that much still depends on gas, and costs on bills are not decreasing. Recent auctions of the Fer-X Decree have shown great participation and declining prices, albeit with significant differences between photovoltaic (about 7 GW awarded out of 10 requested) and wind (less than 1 GW out of two submitted).
In basic technologies, such as photovoltaics and batteries, the game for Italy (but also for Europe) has long been lost, with China as the absolute leader. However, Italy has a substantial manufacturing chain, with significant presences in segments such as electrical components, cables, inverters, meters, and services. The aggregate turnover of companies specializing in these markets is 32.1 billion euros with about 86,000 employees.
Stagnant electricity demand with electrification at a standstill, despite repeated growth scenarios, constitutes a brake on the development of renewables, modernization, and decarbonization of the Italian system. The development of heat pumps, electric mobility, and green hydrogen have so far failed to accelerate. Today, data centers constitute the new frontier, but uncertainties are still many.
The governance system, the adequacy and timeliness of support policies, and the ability to invest and innovate are therefore crucial for a sustainable transition. The study highlights how delays and regulatory uncertainties are slowing down the path and how, instead, a development scenario could bring substantial benefits to the entire Italian industrial and economic system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Program<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Institutional greetings<\/em> Moderator Presentation by Alessandro Marangoni of the Althesys study “Energy transition global scenarios, technologies and governance<\/em>“.<\/strong> Speakers<\/em> Round Table “Proposals from the Associations”<\/em><\/strong>
Corrado Arturo Peraboni,<\/strong> CEO Italian Exhibition Group
Laura Cozzi, <\/strong>Director of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks, IEA International Energy Agency<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fausta Chiesa<\/strong>, Corriere della Sera<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An analysis that combines geopolitical and policy aspects of Europe and the main global blocs, with the evolution of technologies, their costs, and the institutional and industrial structures of various national and supranational players.
The study combines “macro” and global themes with the “practical” economic-financial and industrial reality of some nations, Italy first and foremost, considering the triad of generation-storage-networks in light of decarbonization objectives from a joint perspective of environmental and economic sustainability. This, of course, in the face of evolving demand and therefore efficiency. AI and data centers will certainly be among the drivers of the latter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hon. Gilberto Pichetto Fratin,<\/strong> Minister of the Environment and Energy Security<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Session I<\/em>
Gianni Vittorio Armani,<\/strong> President of ELETTRICIT\u00c0 FUTURA
Andrea Cristini,<\/strong> President of ANIE Rinnovabili
Simone Togni,<\/strong> President of ANEV \u2013 National Wind Energy Association
Paolo Rocco Viscontini, <\/strong>President of ITALIA SOLARE
Paolo Picco, <\/strong>President of FEDERIDROELETTRICA<\/p>\n\n\n\n