FAQ on Italian Energy Programme

May 2, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

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On Dec. 20, 2007, the European Commission (EC) approved the renewable energy and energy efficiency operational programme for the Italian regions of Apulia, Campania, Calabria and Sicily for the period 2007-2013. This document answers frequently asked questions about this programme.

How is the programme funded?
The programme falls within the framework laid out for the convergence objective and has a total budget of around €1.6 billion.

European Community funding through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to some €803 million, which represents approximately 2.8% of the total European Union (EU) investment earmarked for Italy under the Cohesion Policy for 2007-2013.

What is the purpose of the programme?
The overall aim of the programme is to increase the amount of renewable energy sources used in energy consumption and to ensure greater energy efficiency.

What are the expected impacts of investments?
The programme's investments are expected to include the following impacts:

• Increase the share of renewable sources in energy consumption (from 4.7% in 2006 to 6.1% in 2013).
• Save energy (1,250 thermoelectric power).
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (1 megaton CO2/year).
• Create jobs (about 7,400).
• Reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
• Reduce dependency on energy imports.

What are the programme's priorities?
The programme is structured according to the three priorities described below.

1) Produce energy from renewable energy sources
This priority, which accounts for about 48.5% of total funding, will focus on:

• Developing integrated models for renewable energy sources.
• Promoting and supporting the use of renewable energy in public buildings and utilities.
• Conducting experiments on the potential of renewable energy sources.
• Developing models and actions to increase renewable energy sources production in an effort to enhance the environmental and natural value of the regions covered.

2) Improve energy efficiency and optimisation of the energy system
This priority, which accounts for about 47.5% of total funding, will focus on:

• Developing advanced systems for energy efficiency in public buildings and utilities.
• Improving the infrastructure of the transport network, including the promotion of renewable energy sources in combined heat and power generation.
• Raising awareness, developing skills and increasing social acceptance in terms of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.

3) Provide technical assistance
This priority, which accounts for about 4% of total funding, aims to further research into energy potential and support the programme in terms of management, strategy and communication.

The breakdown of financing by priority (in euros) is listed below.

Source: European Commission (EC).