http://ec.europa.eu/
In March 2008 the European commission approved a EUR 384m Italian state aid scheme to boost the production and use of biodiesel. The four-year scheme runs from 2007-2010 and gives biodiesel producers a reduction in excise duty rates of 80 per cent compared with normal diesel oil. The reduced rate is limited to an annual quota of 250,000 metric tons of biodiesel, and is shared among producers according to their production levels, so that only a fraction of each producer's total biodiesel output would benefit from the tax reduction. Any producer of biodiesel in the EU would be able to enroll in the program and be eligible for the excise duty reduction.
Financing for SMEs in the EU 2008-2013
http://ec.europa.eu/
The European Commission allocated 55 billion euros to fund companies in member states, with 9% going to environmentally friendly projects.
Of the total, 2.7 billion euros are earmarked for Italy as a way of satisfying European expectations in terms of innovation.
STRUCTURAL FUNDS: EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND (ERDF) and EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND
http://ec.europa.eu/
The Structural Funds are the largest Community funding instruments benefiting SMEs, through the different thematic programs and community initiatives implemented in the regions. The beneficiaries of structural funds receive a direct contribution to finance their projects.
The management of the programs and the selection of projects occur at national and regional levels. In particular:
- The Unique Fund allocates funds for renewable energy for a total of 45 million euros, of which 45% is earmarked for scientific and technological research.
- ERDF resources are mainly used to co-finance: productive investment leading to the creation or maintenance of jobs; infrastructure; local development initiatives and the business activities of small and medium-sized enterprises. In practice, all development areas are covered: transport, communication technologies, energy, the environment, research and innovation, social infrastructure, training, urban redevelopment and the conversion of industrial sites, rural development, the fishing industry, tourism and culture.
LIFE +
http://ec.europa.eu/
The new LIFE+ program, following on from the previous program LIFE III (2002-2006), came into force on 9 June 2007 with an available budget of 2.143 billion euros for the development and implementation of European Union policies and regulations, and in particular to reach the aims of the sixth Environment Action Programme (EAP - decision 1600/002/EC) and related strategic issues. The program finances efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss, improvement of the environment, of health and quality of life as well as incentives for the sustainable use and management of natural resources via innovative policies and their better application.
Marco Polo II (2007-2013)
http://ec.europa.eu/
The Marco Polo Programme aims to reduce road congestion, to improve the environmental performance of the freight transport system within the Community and to enhance intermodality, thereby contributing to an efficient and sustainable transport system. To achieve this objective, the Programme supports actions in freight transport, logistics and other relevant markets, including motorways of the sea and traffic avoidance measures. The programme has a budget of €400 million for the period 2007-2013.
National Operative Programmes (NOP)
http://ec.europa.eu/
There are seven National Operative Programmes (NOP or Programmi Operativi Nazionali – PON) for Objective 1 of EU structural funds, focusing on: schools, security, local development, transport, fishing, technical assistance and systemic action. The managing authorities are the ministries involved in these areas: Education, University & Research (for the NOPs on research and schools), Interior, Economic Development, Infrastructure & Transport, Agriculture & Forestry Policy, and Economy & Finance.
Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP)
http://ec.europa.eu/
The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) aims to encourage the competitiveness of European enterprises, the ability of innovate and sustainable growth. In the context of the CIP’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP), the Eco-innovation program finances pilot projects and the subsequent commercial activities of the best products and eco-innovative services in Europe that reduce environmental impact and pollution or use natural resources in a more efficient and responsible way. The Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) program helps the environment by supporting projects that increase energy saving and the use of renewable energy sources with the goal of helping drive Europe toward a more rational use of energy.
7thFramework Programme (FP7)
http://ec.europa.eu/
The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), coming in the wake of the 2002-2006 FP6, has a budget of 50.521 billion euros. It is the EU’s financial instrument for supporting research and technological development. The FP7 includes a specific “Environment” program, with a budget of 1.9 billion euros and a twofold objective. On the one hand it is to promote the sustainable management of the environment and its resources through increasing knowledge about the interactions between the climate, biosphere, ecosystems and human activities. On the other hand, it is also to develop new technologies, tools and services that address global environmental issues. The program funds four specific areas: climate change, pollution and risk; sustainable management of resources; environmental technologies; and earth observation and assessment tools.
URBAN II
http://ec.europa.eu/
Urban II is the Community Initiative of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for sustainable development in the troubled urban districts of the European Union.
Its activities include:
- minimizing and treatment of waste, total recycling, selective collecting and treatment; efficient water management, noise reduction and reduction in consumption of fossil fuels
- air quality analysis
- measures to reduce water consumption; waste-water management
- Promotion of energy efficiency and reduction of energy consumption
- Promotion of the use of renewable energy sources
- training in environmental management and protection
REEEP
www.reeep.org www.minambiente.it
The Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), founded in October 2003, offers interested governments, companies and associations an open and flexible structure.
The partnership promotes investment opportunities, supports business and institutional models, bundles small projects to a bankable size, links to carbon finance and replicates successful financing mechanisms. It aims to ensure that policies and regulatory structures encourage the integration of clean energy, promote the efficient use of power and attract investment into the sector.
Integrated Package of Facilities - Innovation (PIA Innovazione) and Fund for Technological Innovation (FIT)
http://www.sviluppoeconomico.gov.it/
The financing announcements made under the Integrated Package of Facilities - Innovation (PIA Innovazione - Pacchetto Integrato di Agevolazioni) and the Fund for Technological Innovation (FIT) allow for tax benefits funding pre-competitive development and product industrialization.
The Ministry of Economic Development manages both forms of financing. The PIA is targeted at southern Italian regions while FIT requests can be presented by SMEs based in depressed areas in northern and central regions.
PIA Innovazione: pre-competitive development of Objective 1 areas
PIA Innovazione aims to stimulate industrial research in companies. The funding can support both programs of industrial research and the subsequent industrialization of the results achieved. Training of human resources is also covered.
PIA Innovazione is open to all companies that are considering undertaking a research activity and the subsequent industrial production. The financing is open to all SMEs and large enterprises, permanently located in Italy, that carry out industrial production of goods and services, as well as productive artisanal companies.
The Fund for Technological Innovation (Fondo per l’Innovazione Tecnologica or FIT) makes available financing that covers up to 100% of eligible design costs – with as much as 40% of the financing in free-grant form and 60% in the form of financing with special interest rates of about 1.2% a year.
The financing rounds are open to all SMEs involved in production or services based in depressed areas of northern and central Italy (excluding those based in the region of Lombardy, which has its own funding round). They must have an idea for developing an innovative product or for improving an existing product and need to carry out a series of research and development activities to do so.
Environment Ministry funding for "Renewable Energy, Energy Saving and Sustainable Development on Minor Islands"
www.minambiente.it
The Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea published a call for funding applications for “Renewable Energy, Energy Saving and Sustainable Development on Minor Islands” for which 3.49 million euros was allocated, of which 2.22 million euros for renewable energy and energy saving and 1.27 million euros for sustainable mobility (funds left over from the previous call for funding applications for “Renewable Energy, Energy Saving and Sustainable Development on Minor Islands”).
Environment Ministry call for funding applications: 2 million euros for clean technologies in Italian parks. Expires 26 October 2008.
www.minambiente.it
The Environment Ministry has allocated 1.93 million euros for the call for financing applications “Renewable Energy, Energy Saving and Sustainable Mobility in Protected Natural Areas”. The projects, which can be presented by organizations that manage protected national, regional or marine parks, will be co-financed by the ministry for up to 50% of admissible investment costs.
Energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, for which 1.35 million euros has been allocated, cover the following plants: solar thermal plants for hot water, pool heating or air conditioning; photovoltaic and wind plants of no more than 20 kW; biomass plants, above all if they use products from agricultural or forestry maintenance; building work to improve energy efficiency of managing organizations’ property. Communication or education initiatives on energy saving and renewables will also be allowed.
Sustainable mobility projects, with 579,000 euros available, must involve: bicycle rental services and the introduction of environmentally friendly vehicles (which must also consider transport solutions for the disabled); flexible, collective transport services; maintenance of collective vehicles and installation of recharging units for electric vehicles.
Among the selection criteria, projects must be reproducible elsewhere, create permanent services that generate employment, environmentally compatible and ready to start within three months of their presentation.
Decree of 11 April 2008
www.gsel.it/eng/index.asp
The Decree of 11 April 2008 lays down the criteria to stimulate the production of electricity from solar thermodynamic plants, including hybrids, connected to the electricity grid, built in Italy. Plants must be equipped with thermal accumulation systems.
On top of the selling price, net electricity produced by thermodynamic solar plants can obtain a feed-in tariff for 25 years. Up to 2012 the tariff corresponds to EUR 0.28 / kWh. In case of hybrid plants, the feed-in tariff decreases depending on the ratio between the amount of energy not produced by a solar energy source and the amount produced by a solar energy source.
The maximum cumulative power of all solar thermodynamic plants eligible for the incentives corresponds to 1.5 million m2 of cumulative surface. The national objective of total power to be installed by 2016 corresponds to 2 million m2 of cumulative surface.
“Industria 2015” – Energy efficiency
http://www.sviluppoeconomico.gov.it/
The Industrial Innovation Project for Energy Efficiency (Progetto di Innovazione Industriale/PII per l'Efficienza Energetica) aims to improve development of the competitiveness of the industrial system and boosting the country’s energy efficiency. The ultimate goal is to save energy in productive processes and end-uses.
The aims of this energy efficiency drive include greater use of renewable sources and improving the country’s energy security while ensuring environmental sustainability.
The funding available amounts to 200 million euros with another 50 million euros budgeted for the south of Italy. Projects must involve technological sectors with high potential for innovation: solar thermal and thermodynamic, bioenergy, waste-to-energy, fuel cells, hydrogen and distributed energy. The technological areas with high potential for application are: wind, high-efficiency materials for bioclimatic building and architecture; high-efficiency electrical machinery and motors; advanced illumination technologies; high energy efficiency domestic appliances; technologies for increasing energy efficiency in industrial processes.
“Industria 2015” Sustainable mobility
http://www.sviluppoeconomico.gov.it/
The Industrial Innovation Project for Sustainable Mobility (Progetto di Innovazione Industriale/PII per la Mobilità Sostenibile) aims to encourage the development of new mobility products and technologically innovative mobility solutions for passengers and goods that are more efficient and at the same time provide greater respect for environmental and social constraints, thus boosting the competitive capacity of the industrial sectors involved.
Company incentives for the promotion of renewable energy sources
www.minambiente.it
The Ministry of the Environment and Land and Sea published a call for financing applications for SMEs, published on the Gazzetta Ufficiale no. 12 of 16 January 2007. It provides for the allocation of capital cost contributions for the construction of the following plant types:
- grid connected photovoltaic plants from 20 kW to 50 kW;
- wind energy plants from 20 kW to 100 kW;
- solar thermal plants for the production of hot water, for heating and air conditioning, the supply of low-temperature process heating and pool heating. The ministry is also providing incentives for solar thermal collectors with gross surface of 50 sq m to 500 sq m, equivalent to 35 kW to 350 kW;
- biomass plants fueled by wood chips and pellets for the production of heat and with nominal capacity of 150 kW to 1000 kW.
Budget law 2007
http://www.agenziaentrate.it/
The Budget Law 2007 provides for various fiscal incentives and financial measures to improve energy efficiency and to abate emissions. Measures include:
-fiscal incentives for enhancing energy efficiency and use of renewable energy in buildings;
-financial grants for replacement of passenger and goods vehicles with less-polluting models, as well as those using natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas;
-reduction of duty for biofuels used for transport
A revolving fund with a yearly budget of EUR 200 million was established to finance the following GHG emissions reductions measures (2007-09):
- a high performance micro-cogeneration plant
- electricity and heating production from small-scale renewable energy sources
- high efficiency electric motors (more than 45 kW)
- improving end-use energy efficiency in the civil sector
- R&D for new technologies, low or zero emissions energy sources
Budget 2008 confirmed the above measures, and extended the deadline of borne expenditures from December 2007 to 2010. It also widened the range of eligible measures in the building sector, by adding measures concerning the replacement of heating plants with heat pumps and geothermal low enthalpy systems.
Budget law 2008
http://www.agenziaentrate.it/
The Finance Act 2008 includes new measures relating to the production of electricity from renewable energy sources, in two areas: a review of the green certificates system, applying to power plants producing 1MW or more, and the introduction of feed-in tariffs for the small plants.
The revisions concerning green certificates are twofold. First, the incentive period is raised to 15 years. Second, the number of certificates issued varies depending on the type of renewable source, according to a coefficient multiplicative energy produced. This coefficient is: 1 for wind plants, 1.1 for offshore wind, 0.9 for geothermal, 1.8 for tidal and wave, 1 for hydroelectric, 1.8 for biomass from short chain, 1.1 for other biomass, 0.8 for biogas.
Small renewable energy power plants, producing up to 1 MW, can choose feed-in tariffs (that include the selling value) differentiated by source and supported for 15 years. The feed-in tariffs are: EUR cents 20/kWh for geothermal plants, EUR cents 34/kWh for tidal and wave, EUR cents 22/kWh for hydroelectric, EUR cents 30/kWh for biomass from short chain, EUR cents 22/kWh for other biomass, EUR cents18/kWh for biogas, EUR cents 30/kWh for wind plants (up to 200 kW).
Regional Operational Programmes (ROP)
www.dps.tesoro.it
The Regional Operational Programme (ROP or Programma Operativo Regionale - POR) is the main instrument via which regional administrations manage and deliver financial resources that the European Union has provided in the ambit of Structural Funds such as ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), the ESF (European Social Fund), the EAGGF (European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund and the FIFG (Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance).
For the six Objective 1 regions (Molise, Campania, Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia), the ROP represents the operational delivery of EU Community Support Frameworks, the instrument through which the European Commission, together with the member state, carries out an analysis of the socio-economic situation at the outset and defines a development strategy, priority actions, goals and allocation of resources from Structural Funds as well as the conditions for delivery.
Friuli Venezia Giulia: Capital cost contributions for companies installing solar photovoltaic plants.
www.regione.fvg.it
Friuli Venezia Giulia makes available to its companies capital cost contributions for installing solar energy plants. The contribution can be as much as 80% of admissible costs. Funding is available for grid-connected photovoltaic plants of at least 10 kW.
Friuli Venezia Giulia: energy saving in companies
www.regione.fvg.it
The Friuli Venezia-Giulia regional government has allocated capital-cost contributions of up to 25% of admissible costs for SMEs that adopt energy-saving solutions. This includes contributions for the use of renewable energy sources, for increasing the efficiency of machinery and equipment, and substituting petroleum fuels.
Emilia Romagna: Financing from Cariparma & Piacenza for businesses
www.cariprpc.it
The Cariparma & Piacenza banking group has allocated 100 million euros to be used through discounted financing for companies in the Piacenza area. Eligible projects include those on energy saving and restructuring. Access to the financing is open until the end of the year (the deadline can be extended by 12 months). All financing will be of no more than 60 months and provided at particularly advantageous interest rates
Lazio -1.65 million euros for incentives for installing solar plants for heating.
www.regione.lazio.it
The Lazio regional government has set aside 1.645 million euros for incentives for the installation of solar plants for heating purposes.
In the case of individuals, the contribution is 400 euros per plant for the use of each household or else 200 euros for each household in the case of apartment blocks. For companies, the contribution is 0.10 euros per kWh produced with a maximum of 9,000 euros or 0.20 euros/kWh if the plant contributes to energy saving of the productive cycle. In both cases, the contribution cannot exceed 15% of the cost of the plant.
Eligible parties are Lazio residents, apartment blocks and SMEs with operational offices in the region and which own the buildings to be served by the plants.
The regional contribution is provided for the installation of solar thermal plants for the production of hot water for residential or industrial use. It covers purchase and installation costs (building and plumbing) up to the connection with existing facilities.
Province of Milano: zero-rate loans for ecological housing and solar panels.
http://www.sviluppoeconomico.gov.it/
The Industrial Innovation Project for Sustainable Mobility (Progetto di Innovazione Industriale/PII per la Mobilità Sostenibile) aims to encourage the development of new mobility products and technologically innovative mobility solutions for passengers and goods that are more efficient and at the same time provide greater respect for environmental and social constraints, thus boosting the competitive capacity of the industrial sectors involved.
Company incentives for the promotion of renewable energy sources
www.provincia.milano.it
The Province of Milan offers zero-rate loans to homeowners and apartment blocks in the area that adopt the administration regulations on environmentally friendly building.
The system is an innovative form of co-financing that allows the province and banks split the interest on loans granted for energy-saving modifications. Interest on the loans is discounted to 0%. The province has allocated 1 million euros for renewable energy and energy saving.
To get a loan, the money must be used for thermal isolation, refurbishment of equipment or installation of plants running on renewables, either for heating or hot water.
The program aims to stimulate 12 million euros a year of investment towards the aim contained in the provincial program on energy efficiency to save 35,000 metric tons of oil equivalent a year in final use of primary energy in the civil sector.
Incentives of the Autonomous Province of Trento
http://www.provincia.tn.it
The Province of Trento provides contributions for energy saving according to provincial law No. 14/80. Application forms, technical details and evaluation of energy performance can be found (in Italian) at the website: http://www.energia.provincia.tn.it/risparmio/risparmio.htm
Incentives of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano
http://www.provincia.bz.it (energia)
The Province of Bolzano provides tax benefits for energy-saving measures (including the installation of photovoltaic plants, solar collectors for hot water and heating as well as many others).
Piedmont - 28/03/2008- Renewables financing worth 140 million euros
www.fonti-rinnovabili.it
The Piedmont regional government has agreed to provide a total of 140 million euros to encourage the production and use of renewable energy. The three measures are aimed at companies (in terms of production) and the public sector (in terms of use). The funds are divided as follows:
- 50 million euros for companies to rationalize energy consumption by shifting to renewable energy sources (installing solar panels, etc.)
- 50 million euros to encourage companies in the region to invest in alternative energy production, including with innovative products developed by research. This is to spur the creation of new companies and avoid the need to import technology and components
- 40 million euros for the public sector, to make their buildings energy independent.
Sardinia: incentives for small companies investing in renewables.
www.regione.sardegna.it/
The Sardinia regional government is providing 2 million euros for all renewable energy sources with the exception of wind. The incentives are reserved for micro-companies and SMEs that want to invest in energy generation from renewable sources. Funding consists of capital-cost contributions of up to 45% of the admissible costs up to a total of 250,000 euros. The investments must be only for supplying the company in question, not for creating a surplus to be sold on the market.
Companies can apply singly or jointly.
The 2 million euros available come from the completion of the Regional Operative Programme (ROP) 2000-2006 (Misura 1.6.b). The Industry Department will publish a call for applications with details of how to apply.
Sardinia: capital-cost incentives for photovoltaic plants.
www.regione.sardegna.it/
The Sardinia regional government has set aside 15 million euros for the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 to fund capital-cost contributions for the installation of photovoltaic plants that are integrated into building structures in the region, with capacity of no more than 20 kW. The contributions cover up to 20% of the investment costs and will be available each year to the amount of 10 million euros for companies and 5 million euros for individuals. Thanks to the 20% limit, it’s possible to benefit also from feed-in "conto energia" tariffs.
Tuscany – June 2008 – two new funding rounds for renewable energy sources.
www.regione.toscana.it/
>The Tuscany regional government has published two calls for regional funding for non-polluting energy sources.
The first round is for solar thermal, the second for other kinds of renewable energy and energy saving.
The following categories are admitted:
a. grid-connected solar photovoltaic plants of between 1 kW and 20 kW (at peak);
b. micro- and mini-wind plants of up to 100 kW (at peak);
c. heating, cogeneration or tri-cogeneration biomass plants with nominal capacity no higher than 200 kW thermal or 100 kW electrical.
d. micro-hydroelectric plants of no more than 100 kW (at peak);
e. plants for the direct use of geothermal energy via heat pumps or without extraction of fluids;
f. centralized natural-gas plants, including cogenerative or tri-cogenerative, of up to 200 kW thermal and 100 kW electrical.
The following private subjects are admitted to the program:
a) SMEs as defined in Commission Regulation (EC) 364/2004 and 1998/2006
b) Individuals, event when representing non-profit charity organizations.
The investments must occur within the region of Tuscany. Financing is provided as follows:
- 20% of admissible costs up to a maximum of 20,000 euros for grid- connected solar photovoltaic plants of between 1 kW and 20 kW (at peak)
- 30% of admissible costs and up to a maximum of 50,000 euros for all the other kinds of investment detailed above.
Tuscany: 150 million euros for renewables for SMEs
www.regione.toscana.it/
The “Energy Environment” agreement aims to stimulate and sustain significant investments by SMEs in Tuscany in the entire production chain of renewable energy sources.
The 150 million-euro fund is open to companies that are considered economically and financially solid by five banking institutes (Fidi Toscana, Artigiancredito toscano, Fises, Banca Toscana and Mps Leasing & Factoring).
The maximum guarantee that can be released is 1.5 million euros per company to finance the construction, acquisitions or restructuring of the following kind of plant: solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, photovoltaic water pumps, wind, biomass-fueled heating, production and collection of biomass, district heating from renewable sources, hydroelectric and plants using geothermal heat.
Financing is also available to increase energy efficiency of plants and factories, especially with recovery of residual heat, insulation, use of more eco-efficient machinery and lighting systems.
Another important segment is research and development and product innovation linked to renewable energy and energy saving as well as the construction of distribution networks for renewable energy. Applications should be made to the nearest branch of Artigiancredito toscano. The co-guarantors will undertake an investigation and, if the result is positive, Banca Toscana and Mps Leasing will provide the financing at very favorable rates.
Renewables in Umbria
www.regione.umbria.it/
The Umbria regional government has published a funding announcement to support companies investing in renewable energy source and environmental protection and remediation. The funding – worth about 6 million euros – is financed by EU structural funds related to the Regional Operative Programme of the ERDF 2007-2013. Investment contributions will be made to industrial, artisanal, commercial and tourist companies in order to: reduce atmospheric, water and acoustic pollution; raise the quality of the environment through prevention and safety interventions; reduce the quantity and hazardousness of waste and encourage the recovery of materials; seek the rational use of energy; encourage the use of renewable energy sources and cogeneration.
Valle d'Aosta-
www.regione.vda.it/energia
The Valle d'Aosta regional government has set up a fund for incentives for the following measures:
a) installation of heat pumps for heating or for hot water and active or passive systems for the use of renewable energy sources
b) photovoltaic plants for electricity generation
c) photovoltaic plants for the illumination of outside areas.
Investment contributions are available for 50%, 80% and 60% of the documented, admissible costs respectively.
Applicants must provide documentation of spending, dated no more than a year previous to application for funding.
Incentives for the rational use of energy and renewable energy sources.
www.regione.veneto.it - see under "bandi"
The association of local councils in the Veneto region (Anci Veneto) is providing 300 million euros to encourage the construction of new photovoltaic and biogas plants. The amount is available to councils in the Veneto that make sites available for the installation of the plants.
The plants will initially serve council facilities and later will be allowed to supply energy to households.
Puglia: funding round for solar photovoltaic restricted to companies.
www.regione.puglia.it
The Apulia regional government has published a call for funding applications for the take-up of solar photovoltaic systems. It has allocated 4.5 million euros for small, electricity-generation plants. The funding is restricted to companies.
The allocation is expected to be 4.5 million euros. Initiatives that will be supported include plants for electricity generation, with a preference for small installations (from 5 kW to 20 kW).
