The European Commission has recently approved, in accordance with European Union state aid rules, the decree for new incentives for agrivoltaics proposed by the Italian government as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). This decision paves the way for a total investment of 1.7 billion euros to support the development of agrivoltaic systems in the country.
The Italian scheme, valid until December 31, 2024, will be partially funded through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), following the positive assessment of the PNRR, as stated in the official Brussels press release published today.
Renewable Energy
The agrivoltaic decree under the PNRR plans for the construction and management of new agrivoltaic systems in Italy, aiming for a total capacity of 1.04 GW and an electricity production of at least 1,300 GWh per year. This ambitious plan aligns with Italy’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the share of renewable energy, reflecting the European Union’s strategic goals outlined in the Green Deal.
Details of the Aid Scheme
Within the scheme, aid will be granted to agricultural producers through investment grants, with a total budget of 1.1 billion euros, covering up to 40% of eligible investment costs. Additionally, incentivizing tariffs are provided, with an estimated budget of 560 million euros, to be paid during the operational phase of the projects for a period of 20 years.
Project Operational Deadline
Projects will be selected through a transparent and non-discriminatory competitive bidding procedure. Beneficiaries must compete to obtain the lowest incentive tariff required for the realization of a single project. To benefit from the scheme, projects must become operational by June 30, 2026.
This initiative marks an important step toward transitioning to more sustainable energy sources and reaffirms Italy’s and the European Union’s commitment to combating climate change through the promotion of renewable energy.