Energy

Emilia-Romagna relies on Cer to produce energy for over 52,000 households

By 31 December 2024, there were already 129 Renewable Energy Communities in the region, four of which were already operational. For their establishment in the last three years, the Region has granted grants amounting to 3.5 million euro

by Giorgia Colucci

22 July 2025

5' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

5' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Emilia-Romagna is racing towards clean energy with the Renewable Energy Communities (RECs). According to the mapping of development and establishment initiatives promoted by the Region, by 31 December 2024 there were already 129 of them in the area. Of these, 69 were in the planning stage, 56 were already established but not yet recognised by the Energy Services Manager, and 4 were operational. In total, they have planned the construction of photovoltaic plants with a total capacity of over 52.5 MW. When they all become operational, they will be able to produce energy from renewable sources corresponding to the annual electricity needs of more than 52,700 typical households.

Bands and funding for Cer

In the last three years (after the approval of Regional Law 5 of 2022), "the Region, through two ad hoc calls for tenders, has granted contributions for the establishment and investments of the Cer for about 3.5 million euro," explained the Vice-President of the Region, Vincenzo Colla to the Legislative Assembly. "While not underestimating the technical and regulatory difficulties, which slow down the rapid achievement of operations, that of the Communities is a long-term investment that will yield results in the future in terms of energy savings, environmental sustainability and social impact".

The two calls for tenders, which closed in March 2025, have in fact made it possible to finance71 projects for the establishment of Cer and 27 for the construction of plants, distributed throughout the region. However, these numbers are destined to increase. The extension of access to the regional revolving fund to Cer in cooperative form allows subsidised financing to companies for the construction of plants for the production of energy from renewable sources. Subsidised financing of up to 70 per cent of eligible expenditure, for a maximum amount ofEUR 2 million, is also envisaged.

A map of Cer

Looking at how the projects were presented, of the 129 Cer mapped, over 60% of the projects included a local authority as a member, while around 20% were proposed by companies. 8% of the projects involve religious bodies and third sector organisations. About 19% of the projects are located in municipalities with a population of less than 5,000 inhabitants, which are potential beneficiaries of the NRP. In view also of the predominantly public bodies as promoters, more than two thirds of the total planned power is expected to be realised on buildings (about 44%) and impermeable surfaces (about 25%).

The NOVReS

Among the projects in the Emilia-Romagna region is the Renewable Energy Community NOVReS, which includes 'in addition to the Municipality of Novi di Modena, four local companies, two sports associations, and a foundation committed to supporting new RECs,' explains the deputy mayor of Novi di Modena Mauro Fabbri, interviewed by Radiocor. "It all began in 2022, with a participatory path promoted and financed by the Emilia-Romagna Region, in which the Municipality of Novi di Modena took part," continues Fabbri. "This process laid the foundations for a shared project, which matured over time and became concrete in July 2024 with the legal constitution of the CER NOVReS. Only a few months later, in October 2024, the contract with the GSE was signed. Subsequently, in May 2025, the community was awarded a regional contribution under the Call for Proposals for the Support of the Development of Renewable Energy Communities. "An important recognition, which the municipality supplemented with a share of its own resources," says Deputy Mayor

The NOVReS community aims to 'reach 1 MW of installed power. We are currently at 300 kW, but the ambition is well motivated by the participation that the project continues to generate," explains Fabbri, adding that "some new systems installed by our members, the municipality and CER itself are ready to be included in the community. To support this growth, the association is also moving to a recognised form, so that it can officially register with the RUNTS (Single National Register of the Third Sector). This step 'will allow it to face future challenges with greater solidity and recognition of the community spirit that inspires it'. The CER also has a strong social vocation: around 15% of the contributions accrued will be allocated to social, environmental and anti-poverty activities. Therefore, 'the CER NOVReS, born from an initiative of the municipal administration, is now an autonomous association, with its own Steering Committee,' concludes Fabbri. 'Participation is open to everyone: citizens, businesses, artisans, traders, religious bodies and associations in the area. The approximately 100 expressions of interest collected so far tell of a territory ready for change, aware of the opportunity that the energy transition represents'.

Legacoop-led CERs

In the Emilia-Romagna landscape, between Ravenna, Forlì Cesena and Rimini, there are also the three renewable energy communities managed by Legacoop Romagna, through the Energia Romagna network. "In 2022 we started working on the topic of CERs to give a contribution to member cooperatives on the subject of energy saving," explains Emiliano Galanti, CER Legacoop Romagna referent. "With the evolution of regulations, last summer we set up 3 communities and 3 cooperatives to manage them". The objective now is "to activate the 38 primary cabin configurations present in Romagna within the perimeter of these CERs and, one by one, by the end of 2027, as plants enter the energy community, we will also activate consumers".

The Legacoop Romagna CERs are based 'on producer and consumer members, as well as on companies, with medium-sized plants and consumption' and are gradually 'opening up to private individuals'. The plan is to reach citizens and municipalities from 2026 'with ad hoc campaigns'. At the moment one of these configurations has been authorised, which has also 'received the first incentives', while 'another four will be activated by the end of the year'. The first configuration, says Galanti, 'is based on a 800 KW plant from a third-party producer. Between now and the end of the year, we will add another 2 MW plants and by the end of 2026, we will connect a further 5 MW of plants across the 3 cooperatives' network. All above 100 kW and many even 1 MW.

Renewable Energy Community WeVèz Società Cooperativa

The Renewable Energy Community WeVèz Società Cooperativa was established between the municipalities of Bologna, Modena and Ferrara in 2023, thanks to the initiative of 'a group of founding members who are stakeholders and see Cer as a point of arrival for various initiatives,' explains WeVèz president Paolo Benfenati. Cer's project then got off the ground thanks to a contribution from the Emilia-Romagna Region and raised funding for the construction of the facilities - 'which we own' - at a former quarry in Bologna from Legacoop and Banca Etica. At the moment, the plan for Cer includes 'a 1 mega plant, so already with a certain size, for an investment value of 1 million euro,' says the WeVèz contact person. Work has started in recent weeks and will be completed in the autumn.

"The objective is to replicate the model," continues Benfenati. "In the next two years we aim to build two more pro-owner plants in the area for 3 MW and 10 MW, also with third-party investors. A crowdfunding campaign will soon be launched "to allow families to adopt 1 Kw plants in their area". To get an idea of the benefits, one only has to think that 'a 1 MW plant allows 500 families and a dozen or so companies to join'. Joining a Cer for companies is also convenient, because it also allows them to "break down energy costs, through renewables, and to align themselves with ESG metrics", explains Benfenati. "In order to reach families we focus on companies," he continues, "We give them the opportunity to save money and to leave any incentives obtained through the plants in the community for social initiatives.