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Factsheet for measure IT-2019-21/2738 – Updated – measures in Italy

National fund for energy efficiency

Fondo Nazionale Efficienza Energetica (FNEE)

Country Italy , applies nationwide
Time period Open ended, started on 20 May 2019
Context Green Transition, Restructuring Support Instruments
Type Legislations or other statutory regulations
Category Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery into a green future
– Support for spending, stimulus packages
Author Lisa Dorigatti (University of Milan) and Eurofound
Measure added 11 July 2022 (updated 24 October 2024)

Background information

Legislative Decree No. 102 of 4 July 2014 implementing the Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU, in particular Article 15 establishing the 'National Energy Efficiency Fund' with the aim of facilitating the financing of interventions consistent with the achievement of national energy efficiency targets. The Interministerial Decree of 22 December 2017 sets out the modalities of the Fund's operation.

Content of measure

The national energy efficiency fund (FNEE) supports energy efficiency measures carried out by businesses, including Energy Service Companies (ESCos), and by the public administration, on buildings, plants and production processes. Specifically, the interventions supported must concern:

  • the reduction of energy consumption in industrial processes,
  • the construction and expansion of district heating networks,
  • the efficiency of public services and infrastructures, including public lighting;
  • the energy requalification of buildings.

The fund operates through:

  • guarantees for individual financing operations;
  • subsidised loans for investments, for sums equal to no more than 70% of eligible costs, with a 0.25% fixed interest rate and a maximum duration of 10 years, as well as a usage and pre-amortisation period no longer than three years.

The concessions granted to companies can be combined with contribution or financial concessions provided for by other EU, national and regional regulations within the limits of the de minimis regulation where applicable, or within the maximum aid intensities permitted by current European Union legislation in state aid. The subsidised loans can range between a minimum of €250,000 and a maximum of €4,000,000. The overall budget is €310 million. The management of the fund is entrusted to the public agency Invitalia on the basis of a special agreement with the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of the Environment and of the Protection of the Territory and the Sea. Applications are evaluated within 60 days from the submission date, the submission is open since 20 May 2019.

Updates

The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.

01 January 2024

From 1 January 2024, the deadline for submitting applications for incentives under the Energy Efficiency Fund will be closed for interventions in favour of businesses only. This closure is necessary due to the expiry of the validity of the aid scheme on 31 December 2023, as communicated within the framework of the General Block Exemption Regulation. As a result, incentives can only be granted up to 31 December 2023. This limitation will not affect investment projects promoted by Public Administrations or Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) whose incentives are granted in compliance with and under the conditions of the de minimis regulation.

Use of measure

The Steering Committee of the National Fund for energy efficiency has approved the financing of seven projects submitted by municipalities and energy service companies for energy efficiency upgrades of buildings and the upgrading and standardisation of public lighting networks. For the realisation of these projects, funding of €3.8 million was granted against planned investments of approximately €5.4 million.

The seven approved projects are:

  • Municipality of Castelcovati (BS): low-interest financing for the upgrading and standardisation of the municipality's public lighting system.
  • Langhirano Municipality (PR): low-interest rate financing for the upgrading and standardisation of the Municipality's public lighting system.
  • BRYO S.p.A.: low-interest loan for the renovation/efficiency of buildings in the municipality of Palazzuolo sul Senio (FI).
  • FREE ENERGY SAVING SRL: low-interest financing for the upgrading and standardisation of the public lighting system of the municipality of Tolve (PZ).
  • Municipality of Melpignano (LE): low-interest rate loan for the upgrading and standardisation of the municipal public lighting system.
  • FREE ENERGY SAVING SRL: low-interest loan for the upgrading and standardisation of the public lighting system in the municipality of Grisolia (CS).
  • Municipality of Poppi (AR): low-interest rate financing for the upgrading and standardisation of the municipality's public lighting system.

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Does not apply to workers Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
National government
National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role Unknown Unknown
Form Not applicable Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • Unknown
  • Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Unknown

Views and reactions

Unknown

Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2022), National fund for energy efficiency, measure IT-2019-21/2738 (measures in Italy), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/IT-2019-21_2738.html

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