Why this is important to Wisconsin businesses: Wisconsin companies in the green power industry may find opportunities to help the country meet its goals.
Italy is making powerful strides toward clean energy, becoming a leader in Europe.
Renewable sources covered a record 41% of the country’s power demand in 2024—up from 37% in 2023—even though electricity use increased 2.2% from the previous year, according to Enerdata, based on figures from Terna, Italy’s power transmission system operator.
Nearly 7.5 gigawatts (GW) of new green power came on board in 2024—raising the total capacity to 76.6 GW—and more than 2 GW of storage capacity was added, Terna said. Hydroelectric power production grew 30% and solar production was up 19%.
Italy is ranked third in solar capacity, behind only Germany and Spain, with about 35 GW installed as of 2024 and plans to add 5 to 7 GW a year through 2030, according to Lighthief, a solar power company based in Cyprus.
The country’s Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan calls for 131 GW of renewable power by 2030—with 80 GW of that in solar energy. A national push for sustainability provides a variety of government incentives, including streamlined government rules, community energy models, and industrial investment, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Italy’s photovoltaic solar market supported about 9,600 full-time jobs in 2024, mainly in installation, manufacturing, operations, and maintenance functions, IEA said.
Green energy generation varies by region. Hydroelectric power is concentrated in mountainous areas like the Alps and central Apennines. Photovoltaic is more common in the south, where it tends to be sunny. Wind energy is prevalent on the large islands of Sicily and Sardinia and in southern regions such as Puglia, Campania, and Basilicata. Tuscany stands out in geothermal energy due to its favorable geological conditions and longstanding expertise.
Key players in the industry include Gruppo STG and EF Solare, Italian companies that make photovoltaic products, and Denmark-based Vestas, which manufactures wind turbines.
Italy also collaborates internationally, particularly with the U.S., through joint research, business partnerships, and technology initiatives aimed at accelerating the energy transition.
Wisconsin businesses involved in renewable energy solutions may find opportunities to participate in some of those collaborations.
Related Posts
