Faster Permitting for Renewable Energy Projects in Italy

The European Commission aims to support Italian authorities at national and regional levels in advancing renewable energy by supporting their efforts in streamlining permitting procedures, strengthening administrative capacities, digitalising permits, and enhancing public engagement.

The beneficiary authorities are:

Simplification Unit of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Ministry of Environment and Energy Security
Regulatory Simplification Unit of the Minister for Institutional Reforms and Regulatory Simplification
Pilot regions

Context

In Italy, renewable energy deployment is delayed by complex permitting procedures, caused by overlapping tasks between authorities, discrepancies in the regulatory framework, and a lack of a risk-based approach. Limited administrative capacity and a low level of digitalisation further also hinder progress. The project supports Italy in achieving its renewable energy targets and is directly linked with its recovery and resilience plan, in particular streamlining RES permitting procedures through a single primary legislative act. Furthermore, the technical support contributes to energy security and the clean transition at national and EU levels.

Support Delivered

The beneficiary authorities will receive support through analyses and recommendations enabling them to:

Improve the institutional and administrative framework for RES projects permitting
Develop a legislative text on the single authorisation process for RES projects
Guide implementation of the legislative framework at regional level, based on the pilot regions
Speed-up RES projects permitting procedures
Improve the use of digital tools to simplify and streamline the permitting process. Improve public engagement practices
Apply risk-based analysis for RES projects permitting
Strengthen capacity at national, regional and local authorities in managing the RES permitting processes

This project is funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in cooperation with the European Commission. It started in July 2024 and will last for 20 months.

Results achieved

The project supports Italy in achieving the following outcomes:

Adopt a legislative text harmonising permitting procedures across regions
Increase capacities in the public administration at national and regional level to streamline streamline permitting and engage the public,
Establish an effective approach to digitalise permits (one-stop shops) and balance precaution and innovation in RES projects’ deployment.

Over the long term, this is expected to result in better conditions for investment and innovation in renewable energy, greater public engagement and acceptance of renewable energy projects, and a more secure and independent energy supply.