Reduce the cost of gas even without the green light from Brussels, taking into account the risk of an infringement procedure. This is the position expressed by the Minister of Environment and Energy Gilberto Pichetto Fratin in an interview with The Republic. “It’s a big emergency, we are evaluating interventions to support companies,” he says.
The Bills decree and the negotiations with Brussels
On the Bollette decree, approved last spring and still unimplemented, Pichetto recalls the weight of conflicts: «Let’s not forget that there are two wars that greatly influence the energy sector. There is an ongoing negotiation with the Commission, which has not yet given its green light.” However, the minister believes it is necessary to overcome the stalemate: «This eternal negotiation must be overcome: on the measure to eliminate the differential that Italy pays on the price of gas, even with the doubt of an infringement procedure, we must proceed in the national interest. I’m getting ready to start it.”
Energy transition, opening to Schlein and 14 billion in resources
Pichetto also opens up to the proposals of the Democratic Party secretary Elly Schlein on measures for the energy transition: «They seem to me to be good hypotheses that deserve to be considered. In any case, the prime minister will evaluate the forms of political collaboration.” As for resources, the minister indicates “14 billion of difference to be invested on the transition front”. The government is drawing up a list of actions, from incentives to install heat pumps in homes to renewable energy storage, to then be compared with Europe.
On the energy mix, Pichetto reiterates the need to combine nuclear with renewables: «Renewables and nuclear must coexist and walk together: sun and wind are sometimes not there, the accumulations last four hours, so to overcome gas and oil we will still need a safe, constant and programmable source». «Only with sustainable nuclear power can Italy remain among the leading countries in Europe», concludes the minister.