Sardinia, Calabria and Tuscany lag furthest behind the targets. In Apulia record number of requests

The more than 4,000 projects, wind and mostly photovoltaic, blocked in Italia in the authorisation process correspond to about 150 GW, as Confindustria understands. This is a far higher number than the 46 GW currently needed to reach the Pniec (National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan) targets of 131 GW installed by 2030. As of 31 March, Terna had in fact recorded 85 GW of operational renewable power in the country: most of it solar (45) and wind (14). The Pniec's estimate is to cover the need for electricity from renewable sources up to 63.4% (Terna certifies that in 2025, renewable sources covered 41% of demand), with an increase in energy security for the country, a reduction in dependence on foreign countries, and a lightening effect on the bills of businesses and families.

The progression of new national installed capacity has been increasing in recent years until 2025 when it reached 7.2 GW from 7.5 in 2024. On a national average level between January 2021 and March 2026, we installed 26.5 GW of power, which is higher than the planned minimum of 25.4 GW of the Eligible Areas Ministerial Decree, which also establishes a regional division of capacity to be realised (burden sharing). However, several regions are behind schedule, offset by others that are more advanced. Specifically, the regions not in line with their objectives (again according to Terna data updated as of 31 March) are Sardinia (-461 MW), Calabria (-383 MW), Tuscany (-225 MW), Puglia (-211 MW), Basilicata (-181 MW), Umbria (-160 MW), Sicily (-150 MW), Molise (-150 MW), Marche (-102 MW), Abruzzo (-93 MW), Liguria (-76 MW), and Valle d'Aosta (-19 MW). The most virtuous regions are instead Lazio (+1,315 MW), Lombardy (+738 MW), Piedmont (+419 MW), Veneto (+394 MW), Friuli-Venezia Giulia (+321 MW), Trentino-Alto Adige (+98 MW), Campania (+68 MW) and Emilia-Romagna (+29 MW).

Another ranking to observe is that of the regions with the highest concentration of authorisation requests, with Puglia, Sicily and Sardinia at the top. According to the REgions2030 Observatory, edited by Elemens and Public Affairs Advisors, which monitors precisely the development of renewables in the various Italian regions, Puglia presents this situation: it has 43 GW undergoing authorisation, of which 28 GW are stationary in Rome awaiting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), while 15 GW are stationary in the Region. It has authorised 3 GW in 2025 and 7 GW in the last five years. Sicily, on the other hand, has 30 GW undergoing authorisation, of which 14 GW are blocked in Rome awaiting Via, while 16 GW are blocked in the Region. In 2025 it has authorised 1.5 GW and in the last five years 10 GW. Lastly, Sardinia: here there are projects for 21 GW undergoing authorisation, of which 18 GW are blocked in Rome awaiting the 'Via' and 3 GW are blocked in the Region. In 2025 it authorised less than 0.1 GW and in the last five years 1.5 GW.

All this in a context in which from 2020 to the end of 2025 applications for authorisations for over 200 GW of solar and wind projects, excluding offshore, have been submitted in Italy (see also Il Sole 24 Ore of 26 February). While Terna has requests for connection to the high-voltage grid for about 322 GW.

"To start building a plant, the authorisation process can take up to five to eight years. In India, where we are present, 6 to 12 months. Of course distinctions must be made, there are different complexities, but the comparison is disarming. The risk is that companies that have investment plans in Italy decide to reallocate resources to other countries,' says Alessandro Ceschiat, general manager for Italy of Enfinity Global, an international group based in Miami that in Italia has projects for 9.3 GW (2.6 GW of photovoltaic power, of which 1.2 GW authorised, 469 MW under construction and 345 already operational, and 6.7 GW of batteries, of which more than 600 MW already authorised), 1.1 GW contracted with utilities, companies and industrial clients, and 1.5 billion already invested in the country. 'We would like to do double that if the authorisations arrive. The delays,' Ceschiat continues, 'make it difficult to realise the plants because a project started 5-8 years ago has economic numbers that may no longer be sustainable. 'We ask that the timeframes established by law be respected,' he emphasises, 'with more personnel in the public administration and with a government table with the main operators to find effective solutions together.