Sardinia

From reclamation to energy 19 sectors for 370 million: Sulcis' opportunities

Actions for energy and economic conversion and transition in the municipalities of south-western Sardinia

16 April 2025

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From the environmental reclamation of degraded mining and industrial areas to the establishment of energy communities, via research, the creation of new forms of economy and the employment of women and persons with disabilities, and smart grids. These are some of the aspects included in the 19 procedures that characterise the executive plan for the revitalisation of Sulcis Iglesiente through the resources provided by the Just transition fund. There are just under EUR 371 million (370.919) available for the 19 lines.

'An important step has been taken,' says Daniele Reginali, Councillor for the Budget of the Municipality of Iglesias and member of the Monitoring Committee, 'because now, with these lines of action, we can start (in some cases the activity has already started and the resources have been allocated) with the calls for tenders for the use of the resources.

The largest share of the total amount has been earmarked for environmental remediation. A total of 145 million euro is available. "Of these resources," says Reginali, "80 million have been allocated to the project for the reclamation of the former mining area, for which the executive project is already planned.

The action is aimed at improving the environment of Sulcis Iglesiente and the quality of life and health of its inhabitants. The objective of the action is to rehabilitate contaminated land in order to ensure its reuse both as green areas and as areas for productive activities.

There is also EUR 28.5 million available for the establishment of Renewable Energy Communities. The measure provides for economic contributions to cover the costs of feasibility studies and the establishment of the RECs. "At the beginning of May, two other calls for tenders will be launched concerning support for businesses," Reginali adds. "Specifically, these are measures to support businesses and new companies that want to present projects in the area of energy and economic transition. Specifically, the two measures have a budget of 20 million one and 50 million the other'.

Four and a half million euros are earmarked for smart grid initiatives. Specifically, support is envisaged for the realisation of intelligent energy distribution and storage systems through the identification of one or more public entities in the region to exploit different storage technologies and software solutions in order to arrive at a system for the storage of hydroelectric energy that exploits existing technologies in an innovative way. that also makes it possible to exploit disused mining sites. "In this case," continues the member of the Monitoring Committee, "there could be changes to the budget.

The Methanol Challenge

Another project, already underway and worth just under EUR 20 million, is the strategic Power to Green Fuels project, 'aimed at the technological demonstration on a commercial scale of synthetic methanol production technology from renewable electricity (through the production of green hydrogen) and carbon dioxide separated directly from the air'.

From training to job placement

Other resources, along different lines also for training, refresher training, but also advanced training for company personnel and support for job placement for women and the disabled. "The objective is to cut waiting times," Reginali concludes, "which is why, where there is the possibility, as in the energy field, we are pursuing the negotiated procedure. This is a method that allows us to speed up the response time and that we would like to extend to the other lines of action as well'.

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