Funding of over 28 million for smart grids and public lighting

The energy transition is one of the key issues on the Basilicata Region’s political agenda, and in this area the Regional Government is making concrete and steady progress by approving projects designed to accelerate the pace of the ‘green’ transformation of the region’s energy sector. The latest two measures approved by the Regional Executive, following a proposal by the Regional Minister for the Environment and Energy Transition, Laura Mongiello, are a step in this direction. The two measures form part of the 2021–2027 regional programme and are consistent with European sustainability principles, including the ‘Do no significant harm’ criterion. The common objective of these measures is to strengthen the region’s energy infrastructure, supporting innovation and promoting a development model based on energy efficiency and renewable sources, with positive benefits for citizens, businesses and local authorities. Specifically, the first measure concerns the publication of a public notice regarding the roll-out of smart energy distribution networks (so-called ‘smart grids’). In this case, the total funding allocation amounts to 10 million euros. More specifically, these funds come from the 2021–2027 ERDF-ESF+ Regional Programme. The aim is to take a comprehensive approach to improving the flexibility, security and efficiency of the regional electricity grid, promoting the integration of renewable energy sources and reducing losses. The call for proposals is aimed at public electricity distribution licence holders and will fund up to two strategic projects, with grants that may cover up to 100 per cent of the funding gap. Alongside this measure, the Regional Executive has approved a further call for proposals, which also falls within the scope of the 2021–2027 ERDF-ESF+ programme, aimed at improving the energy efficiency of public lighting in the municipalities of Basilicata and the two provinces of Potenza and Matera. In this case, the funding made available to operators participating in the call for proposals amounts to approximately 18 million euros. In this instance, the type of financial support provided consists of a combination of non-repayable grants (up to 85 per cent of eligible expenditure) and interest-free loans or financing (from 15 per cent to 20 per cent).

In addition to initiatives in the public lighting and Smart Grid sectors, the Region also took steps during 2026 to promote the uptake of renewable energy amongst private users. Last June, in fact, the Basilicata Region sought to significantly accelerate the uptake of renewable energy in the residential sector by publishing a new call for proposals aimed at supporting the installation of renewable energy systems serving residential properties within the region. The budget allocated for this measure amounted to 24 million euros. The initiative provided for the disbursement of non-repayable grants, covering up to 100 per cent of eligible expenditure, for projects aimed at the self-generation of electricity and heat in the homes of residents of Basilicata. Projects funded under the scheme approved by the Regional Executive included the installation of photovoltaic and micro-wind power systems with a minimum capacity of 1 kW, the installation of energy storage systems combined with electricity generation systems, solar thermal collectors, the installation of heat pumps integrated with renewable energy systems and, finally, the installation of heat pump water heaters.