Italy: EU approves 1.5 billion euro state aid scheme for clean energy

Brussels – Solar photovoltaic, onshore and offshore wind, heat pumps, geothermal energy, energy storage, batteries, hydrogen, biomethane, and biogas. The European Commission has approved Italy’s plan for the development of renewable energy sources, with 1.5 billion euros to support strategic investments that add clean technologies (cleantech) manufacturing capacity.

The public support programme “helps us reach the goals of the Clean Industrial Deal, while keeping any potential competition distortions to a minimum,” explains Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice President for a Clean, Fair, and Competitive Transition, in announcing the positive decision for the Meloni government’s strategy. “This scheme will help add capacity for cleantech manufacturing in Italy by supporting key investments.“

The Italian plan aligns with the EU’s industrial competitiveness and decarbonization plan, namely the Clean Industrial Deal. The 1.5 billion is directed to the projects identified in Annex II of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal and covers all renewable energy initiatives, including the production of the components for these technologies. 

Specifically, the Italian State aid will take the form of grants, subsidised loans, or a combination of the two. The measure will be open to companies throughout Italy. The aid may be granted until 31 December 2030. The temporary nature of the interventions leads the Commission to conclude that the Italian aid scheme “is necessary, appropriate, and proportionate” to accelerate the transition to a net-zero-emission economy and to facilitate the development of certain economic activities.​