New auctions for wind and solar projects exceeding 1 MW in size will be part of a new incentive scheme for renewable energy until 2020.
The programme is now under review by the Italian authorities. In the first auction, planned for this November, around 500 MW of wind and solar schemes over 1 MW are expected to be assigned. The incentive scheme will also support renewables up to 1 MW through specific tenders.
The Italian Ministry of Development has submitted a proposal to the State-Regions Conference and the Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and Environment (ARERA) for the introduction of the incentive scheme, which includes a mixed wind-solar auction mechanism for projects over 1 MW, as well as a tender mechanism for renewable energy installations up to 1 MW.
Three similar auctions are set to be held next year, with three more in 2019.
Overall, through the mixed auctions for wind and solar over 1 MW, around 4.8 GW are expected to be allocated by 2020, while other power projects over 1 MW, using other renewable energy technologies, are due to see 245 MW allocated in separate auctions.
Meanwhile, German energy provider Innogy and Italian developer Imprese e Sviluppo have signed a deal to acquire all shares in Italy’s Deliceto onshore wind farm. The 23 megawatt (MW) project in the Apulia region of the Italian “heel” has been in operation since January 2013 and has 10 Enercon wind turbines with an installed capacity of 2.3 MW each. Blustery Apulia is one of the leading Italian regions for wind energy.
The wind farm was awarded a 15-year incentive based on the Green Certificates System. No price was revealed.
Deliceto, between the company’s wind farms at Ururi and Anzi, will run by Innogy Italia, which now has an installed wind capacity of 90 MW.
“We are very pleased to add wind farm Deliceto to our Italian portfolio. This acquisition is a great opportunity for exploiting geographical and operational synergies with our fleet and will immediately add value to our business: Deliceto wind farm will benefit from the capabilities of our regional operation and maintenance team,” said Paolo Grossi, Innogy Italia chief executive.
Innogy said it had experience in developing, designing, financing, constructing and operating renewables assets. In addition to looking for growth opportunities in the established European core markets, Innogy is looking for profitable ventures in new markets for offshore wind and solar.
Italy has great wind, solar and hydropower potential. Picture credit: Pixabay
