Italian electricity producers have accused the government of treating their sector as a source of funds, citing measures they say could amount to €6–7 billion. The criticism was voiced at an Elettricità Futura assembly in Rome, two days after several energy companies announced they were leaving Confindustria Energia, while remaining members of Confindustria.
Elettricità Futura president Salvatore Pinto pointed to provisions in the bills decree and the government’s budget plan. These include a gas price cap for electricity generation that, according to the industry, would require companies to cover the difference from market prices, as well as an increase in IRAP, Italy’s regional tax on productive activities.
Pinto also questioned whether Confindustria Energia had adequately represented electricity producers, arguing that the association had failed to reconcile the interests of different parts of the energy industry. He said the sector’s concerns had been overshadowed by those of oil and gas companies, and argued that policy attention had focused disproportionately on electricity.
Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto, who attended the assembly, said he would take stock of the discussions with Elettricità Futura before presenting a new version of the bills decree to the Council of Ministers. Confindustria vice-president Aurelio Regina described the companies’ departure from its energy division as a request for greater attention and said he and Confindustria president Emanuele Orsini were working to maintain unity.
Orsini, speaking at a separate event, said the gap between the cost of hydropower generation and the wholesale electricity price needed to be addressed. Pinto responded that the remarks risked inflaming tensions on a day intended for dialogue.
The dispute could complicate Confindustria’s efforts to keep energy companies within its structure. The report also said the new bills decree, described as ready, might not be considered at the next Council of Ministers meeting while the overall package is being finalized.
Sources: ANSA Economia.