The study by Greenpeace, WWF and Legambiente:«100% renewables by 2035?It can be done but a change of pace is needed"

According to the document, commissioned by the three associations and created by Ecco and Artelys, the installation of new systems should grow at a rate 8 times faster than the current ones

In the fight against the climate crisis, energy production certainly plays a leading role.From all emissions of CO2 released into the atmosphere, 73.2% comes from the energy sector.It is therefore not surprising that the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources has become one of the cornerstones of the ecological transition.In 2022, thanks to the war in Ukraine and fears of running out of gas, energy has become one of the priorities of European governments.To the point that, according to the International Energy Agency, the conflict may have even accelerated the transition to clean sources.Last March, the European Union set a new ambitious goal:obtain at least 42.5% of energy from renewable sources by 2030.

And Italy?In 2021, our country generated 18.36% of its primary energy from renewable sources.A figure that is growing, but at a pace that is still too slow.Yet, according to a study presented today in Rome, Italy has all it takes to get there 100% renewable by 2035.The document - commissioned by Greenpeace Italia, Legambiente and WWF Italia and created by think tank ECCO and from Artelys – shows what characteristics a completely decarbonised electricity system should have.The Minister of the Environment should also have attended the presentation event which took place this afternoon, 12 June. Gilberto Pichetto, who however decided to cancel all his public commitments until the funeral of Silvio Berlusconi.

How to get to 100% renewables

To achieve 100% electricity production from renewable sources, the study estimates that an increase of over 90 GW will be necessary compared to installed capacity in 2021.A figure slightly higher than the 85 GW estimated by Elettricità Futura, the branch of Confindustria which brings together companies in the Italian electricity sector.Getting there, however, won't be a walk in the park.The study speaks of the «urgency of a clear change of pace compared to current levels of annual installation of renewable capacity."That is, "about 8 times more" than the current rates.And in fact, although the data is growing, renewables in Italy are advancing much more slowly than elsewhere.In 2022, our country installed 3 GW of new power, compared to 5 in France, 9 in Spain and 11 in Germany.The objective, estimates the study commissioned by the three environmental associations, is to reach around 250 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2035.

The scenario described in the document is presented as "the most economical path to guarantee both the decarbonisation objective and energy security".In the 29 pages of analysis the hypothesis never appears nuclear.Just as there is no use of CO2 capture and storage systems (Carbon capture and storage), which currently represent a technology that is still too expensive and unreliable.As for the gas, the document estimates that its contribution to the Italian energy mix in 2035 will be almost nil.The study also places a cap on the use of biomass, which are indeed renewable sources but "their carbon neutrality is not that evident".Alongside energy production, the issue of storage will also become increasingly central.The ECCO-Artelys study predicts the need for 15 GW of batteries and 11 GW of pumping already in 2030.

The necessary policies

In short, the road is long.But for Greenpeace, WWF and Legambiente the goal of 100% renewables is within reach.To achieve it you first need to update a document, the Pniec (National integrated energy and climate plan), «from which derives the guarantee that the regulatory choices and support for the transition will be consistent with the climate objectives».The study commissioned by the three environmental associations suggests some regulatory measures.First, one correction of aid in the bill, which should be revised to encourage a reduction in household consumption.Secondly, focus onenergy efficiency of buildings with the current Eco-Super bonus scheme which, the study claims, should become "a permanent structure to accompany home renovations".

Another chapter concerns the revision of authorization processes for renewable energy plants.Both the Draghi and Meloni governments have repeatedly reiterated their desire to simplify the processes.To date, however, the efforts do not seem to have been enough.“It is necessary to formalize the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture with respect to the State's objectives on the energy transition, or to simplify the ways in which the Prime Minister can overcome its opposition when necessary,” suggests the document.Finally, the ECCO-Artelys study suggests abandoning fossil fuels once and for all.First of all, for economic reasons:«Today the only way for an electricity customer to completely free themselves from the volatility linked to gas is to disconnect from the grid by equipping themselves with photovoltaics and storage», we read in the document.Secondly, reviewing some fossil plant projects announced in recent years but not yet built, which - the study urges - "should be converted into storage".

Photo credits:UNSPLASH/Alex Eckermann