Non-photovoltaic renewable energy: new incentive plan

The Stability Act allocates 5.8 billion euros for the development of non-photovoltaic renewable energy for public and private entities

Of the 26.5 billion euros that the government of Renzi has earmarked for the Stability Act, 5.8 are intended for the development of non-photovoltaic renewable energy in an attempt to relieve the environment in Italy and incentivize the use of alternative sources with respect to the traditional ones.

The Ministries of Economic Development, the Environment and Agricultural Policies have signed a decree that lays down the new incentive plans, excluding the photovoltaic power as its market in Italy is very active and it is a fast growing sector.

The Ministerial Decree of July 6, 2012 is fully in line with the National Energy Strategy, which aims at the electricity production from renewable sources other than the

solar photovoltaic one.

Non-photovoltaic renewable energy: how to apply for the incentives? 

The amount of 5.8 billion euros set forth in the new incentive plan must be allocated by the end ofl 2016, with the aim of supporting the purchase or revision of hybrid plants or those fueled by non-photovoltaic renewable energy.
All of this, in line with the European regulations, contributes to make  Italy’s energy consumption have “a low environmental impact.”
What is necessary to access this financing? Obviously, the capacity parameters must be compliant with those set forth in the decree. They are divided by quotas of the auctions (intended for large-sized plants) and the registers:

• ·800 MW for on-shore wind power;
• ·30 MW for off-shore wind power;
• ·20 MW for geothermal power;
• ·110 MW for thermodynamic solar

Those of the registers are as follows:

• ·60 MW for on-shore wind power;
• ·80 MW for hydroelectric power;
• ·30 MW for geothermal power;
• ·90 MW for biomass;
• ·6 MW for wave motion plants;
• ·10 MW for thermodynamic solar
• ·120.5 MW a controversial quota for former sugar refineries.

How much time will it take to implement the decree?

It will be possible to implement the decree and thus to “put the money” into the plants, after the Joint Conference of the Regulatory Authority for Electricity and Gas releases a relevant opinion. Upon receipt of the approval, the decree will be published in the Official Journal and then it will be possible to access the forms.