Energy communities, from municipalities to advances: how incentives change and how to apply for them

A larger number of beneficiary municipalities, larger advance payments, and more flexibility in the timing of the entry into operation of subsidised plants: these are the main innovations of the new decree widening the mesh to access incentives for renewable energy communities and self-consumption configurations. The document was signed by the Minister for the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, who remodelled the rules set for 2023. "We have worked to improve the orientation of the incentive instrument with the aim of facilitating and broadening the number of beneficiaries," explained Pichetto Fratin.

But let us go in order. The main change concerns, as mentioned, the municipalities that will be able to benefit from the support measure contained in the NRP where, it is worth remembering, a non-repayable contribution up to a maximum of 40% of eligible expenses is provided. The decree modifies the threshold of municipalities eligible for support: no longer only those with a population of less than 5,000 inhabitants, but a limit raised to 50,000 inhabitants.

The decree also establishes greater flexibility for the timing of the entry into operation of projects. In fact, the new decree provides for access to the incentives for plants that have completed work by 30 June 2026 and have come into operation within 24 months from the date of completion, and in any case no later than 31 December 2027 (the previous deadline was 30 June 2026). In addition, when calculating the quota available for incentives, the GSE will have to take into account the power allocated for Pnrr projects and the timeframe for the completion of works and no longer for the commissioning of the plants.

The measure also strengthens the amount of the advance that the GSE can disburse: in fact, it is increased from 10% to 30% at the express request of the beneficiaries, who will receive the balance, according to the changes introduced by the new decree, 'upon completion of the works' on the basis of the presentation of the request for final reimbursement by the user concerned, including, the document clarifies, 'the documentation proving the conclusion of the subsidised projects'.

But how do you access the incentives? Applications must be transmitted exclusively by telematic means, through access to the computer portal 'Spc-Sistemi di Produzione e Consumo' accessible through the Gse customer area. On the date the application is sent, it will be necessary to meet all the requirements of the reference legislation and operating rules. For the measure envisaged by the NRP, applications may be submitted until 30 November 2025 (18.00 hours) 'subject to prior exhaustion of the available resources of 2.2 billion euro, which will be announced on the Gse website'.