Energy at capped prices, Brussels ok. Support for the most exposed companies

The eagerly awaited comfort letter from the European Commission has arrived, unblocking the Energy Release 2.0, the measure prepared by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security to guarantee energy at capped prices to energy-intensive users in exchange for a commitment to invest in new capacity from renewable sources. Giving the news was the head of Mase himself, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, in a statement. "We have built a model that holds together industrial competitiveness, ecological transition and European rigour.

For the ministry and, above all, for the companies that have long been waiting for the start of the mechanism that will allow the sale of energy at a price of 65 euros per megawatt hour - in practice, energy-intensive companies undertake to build new photovoltaic, wind and hydroelectric plants and in exchange can ask the GSE for an advance, at a capped price, for three years of part of the energy they will produce in the future - this is a positive sign, and Pichetto Fratin does not hide his satisfaction. 'Support for large electricity consumers,' Pichetto explains, 'is not a privilege, but a tool to defend employment, strengthen strategic supply chains and attract investment. With this measure we are giving a concrete and sustainable response to the need for more stable energy prices, tying public support to a clear industrial and environmental commitment: to pay back what we receive with new clean energy'.

In the note circulated a short while ago, the owner of Mase wanted to thank the European Commission 'for the fair and constructive dialogue, and all the technicians at the ministry for their work. It is a measure that looks to the future and represents an example of good cooperation between national and European institutions,' concluded the Forza Italia exponent, who, in recent months, has kept a channel of dialogue always open with Brussels and, in particular, with Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, who, even during his recent visit to Italy, wanted to meet him.

The measure, as will be recalled, is divided into two phases: a first one of support through the supply of electricity at a capped price and the mechanism described above, and a second phase that requires beneficiaries, directly or through third parties, to fully repay the benefit received through the construction or financing of new capacity from renewable sources.

Modifications were introduced in the comfort letter, including the option offered to energy-intensive companies to transfer the commitment to return and implement new capacity to third parties identified through a special auction by the GSE. "The mechanism, based on the use of renewable energy already managed by the GSE and the activation of new green capacity, makes it possible to support the companies most exposed to high energy prices, while contributing to the objectives of decarbonisation, energy autonomy and just transition," the Mase note concludes.