Rome, 24 March 2023 – An appeal has been made to the Italian Government and Parliament to adopt policies and strategies that will reinforce the use of cogeneration over the next decade. The appeal was made by the Italian Federation for Rational Use of Energy (FIRE) and co-signed by several associations, including Assocarta, Cogen Europe, Consorzio italiano biogas, Confindustria Ceramica, Coordinamento FREE, Federchimica, and Italcogen.
The appeal highlights the uncertainties and risks surrounding cogeneration, which is widely used in Italy, due to the evolution of European legislation. Without appropriate legislative interventions, negative consequences may occur for the security of the national electricity system, the competitiveness of companies, decarbonisation goals, and primary energy consumption.
During the workshop held at K.EY – The Energy Transition Expo, representatives from the associations urged the government to establish a permanent round table with the sector’s associations to identify the best strategies to safeguard high-efficiency cogeneration. The aim is to avoid any possible negative repercussions for the country’s economy as part of its decarbonisation path.
“It is hoped that the Government and Parliament will be able to adopt policies and strategies capable of reinforcing the use of cogeneration over the next ten years, by virtue of the benefits brought in terms of energy, the environment and competitiveness to the energy system and national businesses,” said the appeal.
Cogeneration, also known as combined heat and power, is a process where electricity is generated while capturing and utilizing the heat that would otherwise be wasted. It is an efficient way of generating electricity and reducing emissions.
