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FAQS about Eu energy storage Italy

What is the EU state aid scheme for energy storage in Italy?

The European Union (EU) Commission has approved a state aid scheme aiming to fund the rollout of over 9GW/71GWh of energy storage in Italy. The scheme totalling €17.7 billion (US$19.5 billion) will provide annual payments covering investment and operating costs for those developing, building and operating large-scale energy storage in Italy.

What is the EU energy storage programme?

It will be led by transmission system operator (TSO) Terna. The EU approved a €17.7 billion package to fund the programme in December 2023, and Terna is aiming for it to support the deployment of 50GWh of energy storage by 2030, which is lower than the initial 71GWh forecast.

Are battery energy storage systems needed in Italy?

Therefore, battery energy storage systems (BESS) are needed in Italy. The Italian market for BESS is growing rapidly and currently amounts to 2.3 GW but it almost exclusively consists of residential scale systems, associated with small scale solar plants, having a capacity of less than 20 kWh.

What does the European Commission say about energy storage?

The Commission adopted in March 2023 a list of recommendations to ensure greater deployment of energy storage, accompanied by a Staff Working Document, providing an outlook of the EU's current regulatory, market, and financing framework for storage and identifies barriers, opportunities and best practices for its development and deployment.

How does EU state aid affect storage facilities?

The aid has an incentive effect, as the supported storage facilities would not be financially viable without the public support. The aid brings about positive effects which outweigh any potential distortion competition and trade in the EU. On this basis, the Commission approved the Italian scheme under EU State aid rules.

When will energy storage capacity auction start in Italy?

The energy minister of Italy has signed a decree paving the way for an energy storage capacity auction to kick off in the first half of 2025.