AIEL: Proposed Revisions to the NECP Presented at the Hearing in the Chamber

April 11, 2024, marked an important moment for the renewable energy sector in Italy, with AIEL – the Italian Agroforestry Energy Association – speaking before the joint Environment and Productive Activities Committees of the Chamber of Deputies.

On this occasion, AIEL presented a series of detailed proposals for the revision of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (NECP).

AIEL Emphasizes the Urgency of a Balanced Energy Strategy

During the hearing, Domenico Brugnoni, President of AIEL, emphasized the importance of maintaining a neutral approach regarding technologies in the field of renewable energy. He highlighted the need for an energy mix that includes a significant role for woody biomass, vital for an effective and inclusive ecological transition.

Annalisa Paniz, the association's General Director, further delved into the potential of woody biomass and the critical issues in the current formulation of the NECP. She illustrated how, without an adequate contribution from bioenergy, Italy could struggle to achieve the target of 37% coverage of gross final energy consumption from renewable thermal sources by 2030.

She also criticized the current revision, which would reduce the contribution of bioenergy in the thermal sector from 7.4 to 6.15 Mtoe annually, as proposed in the version of the NECP sent to Brussels in July 2023.

Enhancing Bioenergy: Ambitious Goals for 2030

Paniz proposed a revised 2030 target of 16.5 Mtoe of thermal energy produced from bioenergy, far beyond the current 6.15 Mtoe, underscoring how woody biomass of sustainable agricultural and forestry origin and 5 Mtoe from agricultural prunings and “non-forest” resources could significantly contribute.

She also highlighted the potential to reduce imports of woody biofuels by better valuing the national forest heritage.

Finally, she pointed out how new biomass-related technologies could compare to fossil fuels regarding particulate and organic carbon emissions, offering significant environmental benefits.

These plants, she concluded, represent an effective and environmentally friendly alternative for decarbonizing the thermal sector without worsening local air quality.

With these proposals, AIEL aims to reorient Italy's energy strategy towards greater inclusion of bioenergy, essential for achieving the European Green Deal objectives and a sustainable future by 2050.