European energy policies and regional burden sharing: what are the effects on the territory of Lombardy?

Abstract

Abstract Introduction For over a decade, European energy policies have been aimed at obtaining a sustainable and safe supply of energy at competitive prices. Case description The EU’s targets have been developing over time, up to the definition of a first overall strategy with the approval of the Climate and Energy Package (known as “20-20-20”) in 2009. Moreover, the following new targets have been established for 2030 and they are even more ambitious than those agreed for the 2020 Climate and Energy Package: 40% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels; 27% of total consumption of energy from renewable sources; 27% improvement of energy performance. In order to conform to the targets for the production of energy from renewable sources set by the European Union, the Italian Government decided to establish a regional burden sharing with binding commitments for Regions, through the approval of the National Energy Strategy (SEN). Discussion and evaluation This measure commits Regions to undertake significant operations that may lead to a further boost in the diffusion of RES installations, which will also have an impact on territory. Conclusion The article concisely outlines the European and national energy policies and their frameworks and analyzes the effects of burden sharing in Lombardy, as an indicative example of what might happen in the rest of Italy.

Keywords

• European energy policy
• Renewable energy plants
• Energy landscape