Italy needs to add 200 MW of additional geothermal power capacity on top of other renewables in order to meet the European target for 2030 according to the “Fit for 55” initiative. This is according to a study carried out by the Enel Foundation with Althesys and Elettricità Futura titled “The Italian supply chain of renewable and smart energy technologies towards 2030.”

The report proposes two scenarios for renewable energy growth in Italy. Under the “Base” scenario, conditions were set according to the first Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (Pniec) that targets a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030. However, this bar had been raised to 55% under the European Green Deal.

The “Desire” scenario sets standards to achieve faster decarbonization in line with new European guidelines. This scenario targets 123 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030, thus exceeding 70% of electricity consumption.

Under the “Desire” scenario, the target for new geothermal plants is 200 MW of additional capacity. This will require a cumulative total investment of around EUR 250 million for the period of 2021 to 2030. The last geothermal power plant that went into operation in Italy was the Bagnore 4 back in 2014 and was inaugurated in 2016.

Earlier this year, Italy’s Minister of the Environment and Energy Security met with the Geothermal Technical Table to discuss the industry’s 2030 objectives and the measures crucial to accelerating the further development of the geothermal sector.