Province of Rimini (IT) PP2 Alberto Rossini – Claudia Ozzi – Claudia Berretta (Energy Unit)

II Regional Consultation Tool: Questionnaire Regional – National Stakeholders: 4 policy makers, 2 researchers, 2 journalists, 2 enterprises, 2 wind associations).

Feed Back The weak feed back received highlights two problems related to the development of OSW in Italy: Policy Makers: they prefer not to officially address this sector because of the sensitivity to local/regional communities; Technicians: few people declared to have technical knowledge to answer. For each issue, the interviewed has given a score (score 1 very inadequate – 5 very adequate)

Main results of RC TSO – ELECTRICITY GRID – MARKET The general situation of the grid is good – it’s not a priority for OSW development (in the short and medium term): the two main transmission grids are situated along the two Italian coasts, Adriatic Coast and Tirrenian Coast. In the long-term it could be possible to find a solution for the energy storage in order to balance the sea wind energy production and the solar energy with hydroelectic energy from the ALPS. The BP that could preferably be introduced in Italy is the FEDERAL ELECTRICITY AGENCY (Germany) because a national coordination is needed. Score: 4

Main results of RC Incentives – Subsidy System In Italy, incentives are necessary because OSW is in a start-up phase. In comparison to the Northern countries, in Italy (and in the Mediterranean area), incentives should be higher because in the Northern area the benefits are higher and there is a clear and certain knowledge of the costs (construction, maintenance, approval) while in Italy not yet. The BP German Renewable Energy Act should be too severe for the Italian context (0,19 €/ kWh y / 0,15 € kWh after the VIII year) Score: 4

Main results of RC Permit Process Although Italy has a codified permit process, it is still considered too weak: vetoes (especially from local authorities and among different administrative levels of different political areas) and the uncerainity of times of release and of the positive end of the permit process undermine the project bankability. A mixed of both permit processes (Italian and German) is desirable. Score: 1

Main results of RC Environmental Impact The monitoring system in Italy is good although it changes for each RES plants. The BP that could be applied in Italy is the Joint Industry Program which is generally recognised in Italy a very good practice. In Italy, to apply it would need the insertion of the landscape aspects for the plant deployment in the Italian territory. Score: 4

Main results of RC Influencing Politicians The attention (and sensitivity) of the Italian politicians towards RES is very low although the Italian electric bill is one of the most expensive in Europe. The BP Energy Valley (NL) could be applied although it would need a tax concessions system to attract private partners. Score: 2

Main results of RC Costs of Developing OSW The stakeholders involved recognize that in Italy it’s hard to create networks and alliances with the aim of developing the OSW. In addition, the BP proposed should be adapted to the Italian conditions where the OSW features are different. Both BP (JIP and Green Deal and TKI) are desirable for the Italian context but has to be adapted Score: 2

Main results of RC Education – Technical Staff Considering the low level of development of OSW, also due to the political uncertainty, in Italy we don’t have high professionalism. On the contrary, considering the low level of OSW development, Italy should not need at this stage to implement a large scale programme. In order to exploit the already existing competences and knowledge of the University, in Italy the BP to be replied are “Engineering Excellence of the Malta University” and “Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology” Score: 2

Main results of RC Infrastructures (Ports – Roads) In Italy the infrastrucures development generally follows the sector development. In the future many Italian ports could be converted for the storage and wind farms maintenance. This BP refers to a very developed context. In any case it could be useful to make an OSW industry plan and to assess the key role of the different Italian ports. Score: 2

Main results of RC Raising Awareness (NIMBY, Education) In Italy the communication on OSW is not complete and even the developers do not properly consider the importance of a good communication when planning a OSW plant. In Italy BP “Offshore Information Centre” (D) and “The Impact of OWE on tourism” (D) should be implemented BEFORE to launch any OSW Plants Score: 1

Main results of RC Supply Chain – Value Added Chain – Resources Some experts evaluate that 80% of the OSW plants components could be created by Italian companies but there’s no agreement among the private companies and the industrial associations are fragmented too. The three BP (Multy Agency Approach - UK, Wind Energy Network - D, NNOW - NL) could be applied in Italy but a common vision is needed first. Score: 2 Score: 2

How to develop the IP TSO – ELECTRICITY GRID – MARKET: Creating a general coordination at national level. Limiting the obstacles for the realease of the authorizations to avoid a waste of time and additional costs. Italy would need a national legal framework binding for all the public institutions involved in the approval processes of the grids. In this way, local authorities couldn’t ban new transmission grids, private operators and the TSO would have more certainity. At the same time it’s necessary a complete mapping of the resources and an integration of all the on-going and planned projects for the general adaptation.

How to develop the IP Incentives – Subsidy System Mantaining the present level of incentives 0,16 kWh plant of more than 5 MW The incentives are considered a good compromise between the sector’s needs and the “expensive bill” of the citizens. In order to improve the system an incentives road map could be done to lawer the incentive in comparison to the decrease of the costs per kWh of the technologies. Every two or theree years Question: if the system is ok why the public auctions haven’t a good results?.

How to develop the IP Permit Process Introducing the French system based on the “Débat Publique” (Public debate) The public debate will ensure a better implementation of the permit process. At the same time, the involvement of local communities could avoid the thousands of administratives appeals which follow an OSW permit release, stopping the OSW farm construction. It could be interesting to adopt a law which recognises that the reduction of the polluting emission is a public interest.

How to develop the IP Environmental Impact Improving at a large scale the communication of monitoring results Private operators and public institution should spread out the results of the monitoring campaigns in order to demonstrate that: -The environmental issues are seriously taken in consideration; -The envionmental impacts are low; -For the noise emission all the necessary measures have been undertaken.

How to develop the IP Influencing politicians/Governments Introducing political incentive system In order to make politicians more sensitive/attentive to the development of OSW (or RES in general), it could be introduced a law which OBLIGE to assign part of the fiscal benefits of the OSW production, such as VAT, Tax on the ground property – for instance the on shore facitlieites of the OSW plant-, royalties for the local public services (for the creation of nurseries, new infrastructures, roads maintenance etc.). In this way a strong boost from the bottom could be created (which is necessary in Italy to avoid contrasts).

How to develop the IP Costs of Developing OSW Creating the premises for alliances and networks In the Italian context is difficult to allow the creation of entities which work on research, offer services in the energy fields and, invest in new infrastructures. For this reason, in Italy, we should: -Create fast tracks for network of RES enterprises (giving them facilities); -Offer fiscal opportunities; -Facilitate the creation of mixed collaboration among different subjects of the public and private sector.

How to develop the IP Education – Technical Staff Investing in ad hoc researches (site-specific) Since OSW is not developed yet, it could be useful to finance project research supported by international cooperation, to assess the OSW potentialities in well defined sites and to develop technologies suitable to the Italian context and the Mediterranean. A cooperation between research centres and industries could be a starting phase.

How to develop the IP Infastructure (Ports, Roads) Creating a national agreement/plan for offshore wind development Taranto could have a offshore wind vocation, because of the wind conditions, but also for the presence of Ilva and Vestas in the area. In addition other ports of the Adriatic coasts could be adapted for OSW purposes. In this case a sound agreement at national level might be defined. In any case it could be useful to make an OSW industry plan and to assess the key role of the different Italian ports.

How to develop the IP Raising Awareness (NIMBY, education) Improving communication system In relation to a specific project, the consultation activities done for the Gronda project of Genova should be replied. In general terms, intitutions, agencies should work more on OSW issues at a large scale.

How to develop the IP Supply Chain – Value Added Chain – Resources Defining a OSW plan The industry sector should be involved in a general “government” agreement to create a productive chain in the long term to: - Increase the producing capacities; - Increase the local added values.

Concluding remarks Private operators and local authorities can play a crucial role in developing OSW cause goverments are generally more fossil oriented. New alliances could be created with the involvement of local communities (with shareholder base or with local authorities acting as RES producers). Considering the Italian wind conditions it is necessary to work on the costs reductions. In Italy we have in any case to launch a pilot case. THANK YOU FOR THE ATTENTION!