The Minister for the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, on the sidelines of the Energy Council held in Brussels, following his meeting with the European Commission Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, held bilateral talks with Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Fair, and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera; Commissioner for Energy and Housing Policies, Dan Jorgensen; and European Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Bastian Hoekstra.

The measures outlined in the Clean Industrial Deal and the Action Plan for Affordable Energy, presented by the Commission, were considered positive by Minister Pichetto Fratin. However, he emphasized to Commissioner Jorgensen the need to identify measures that could lower energy prices even in the short term.

“It is important,” highlighted Pichetto Fratin, “to act promptly in the negotiation of the proposal to revise the storage regulation, in order to introduce more flexibility in implementing the filling obligations and avoid speculation that has caused high spreads between winter and summer prices.”

“Regarding the decoupling of electricity prices from the natural gas market and the volatility of spot markets,” Pichetto emphasized to Commissioner Jorgensen, “Italy shares with the Commission the view that it is necessary to promote the spread of long-term contracts and contracts for difference through market mechanisms.”

“Achieving the 2030 targets,” Pichetto Fratin reminded the European commissioners, “is already very challenging for many member states, which is why any forecast aimed at increasing the level of ambition must be carefully considered and accompanied by appropriate measures to ensure flexibility.”

According to the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, “The Commission should carefully consider the recommended choice of the 90% reduction target for 2040, compared to alternatives of 80% and 85%, both compatible with the net zero goal by 2050. The risk,” according to Pichetto, “would be forcing countries into overly drastic measures with uncertain outcomes, alongside the negative effect of a premature push for investments, ultimately binding member countries to technologies that are not yet mature but will likely become much more efficient and cheaper in the near future.”

Regarding the European Plan for Affordable Housing, Minister Pichetto announced that Italy “will support any initiative that mobilizes both public and private investments, with the support of national, European, and international banks and financial institutions. It is very important, however,” he emphasized, “that the measures adopted be quantitatively adequate and primarily address the needs for the renovation and adaptation of the existing building stock, especially with regard to the housing of the most vulnerable groups.”

Meeting with Vice-President Ribera, Minister Pichetto emphasized “the importance of minimizing the time needed for approving measures to support the spread of renewable energies, aiming to achieve the European targets as soon as possible by accelerating investments. To this end,” he added, “we hope for greater flexibility in evaluating measures and more coordination between the relevant Directorates-General.”

“In particular,” Minister Pichetto stressed, “we hope that the approval process for the FERX can conclude positively in the short term, as it is a crucial tool for the spread of renewable energies in Italy.”

“Regarding the revision of state aid regulations to support the Clean Industrial Deal,” the Minister for the Environment highlighted, “we hope for a flexible approach that takes national specificities into account.”

Finally, the Italian Minister asked Vice-President Ribera to ensure fair competition conditions between EU and non-EU ports regarding the application of the ETS system to the maritime sector.

“The implementation of the Fit for 55 package,” the Minister highlighted to Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Bastian Hoekstra, “represents a truly challenging milestone for the EU, which is why it is necessary to foresee harmonized and strengthened action by Europe to support member states in achieving these objectives.”

Regarding the automotive sector, the Minister acknowledged that “many steps have been made, and it has finally been realized that transitioning from theory to reality is very difficult, but much remains to be done.”

For Minister Pichetto, it would be crucial to confirm that after 2035, the market will allow the sale of vehicles powered not only by synthetic fuels derived from renewable electricity (e-fuels) but also by sustainable biofuels. A battle that would not only benefit Italy but all of Europe.