Italy ‘needs more RES subsidy reform’

Italian consumers are paying 30% more for energy than the EU average, with renewables subsidies one of the main culprits, according to government-backed research.

Greater reform is needed of renewable energy subsidies, which make up 26% of the energy bill, according to RSE, the energy research arm of the economy ministry.

Solar subsidies are particularly high because policies were set in 2007 when technologies were still expensive, researcher Massimo Gallanti said. Even though a higher renewable energy goal is likely for the period after 2020, subsidies should be reduced and formulated differently, he added.