Antonio Caputo
In 2023, the contribution of cogeneration plants to total electricity production amounted to 36.4%, while the share of cogeneration in gross thermoelectric generation reached 59.5%.
The indicator measures the electricity output of combined heat and power (CHP) plants.
To assess the contribution of cogeneration plants to total electricity production, with the aim of increasing the efficiency of energy supply.
Directive 2004/8/EC promotes cogeneration based on useful heat demand within the internal energy market and sets an indicative target for the European Union to double the share of cogeneration in total electricity production—from 9% in 1994 to 18% by 2010. The directive was transposed into Italian law through Legislative Decree No. 20 of 8 February 2007. The Ministerial Decree of 5 September 2011 establishes measures regarding the promotion of High-Efficiency Cogeneration (HEC). The Ministerial Decree of 4 August 2011 supplements the provisions of Legislative Decree No. 20/07 for the purpose of defining the criteria for the recognition of HEC qualification, effective from 1 January 2011.
TERNA S.p.A. – Statistical Data on Electricity in Italy, Various Years
Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale S.p.A.
TERNA S.p.A., Production and Use of Heat from Electrical Cogeneration Plants
National
1997-2023
The data is collected and processed by TERNA S.p.A.
In 2023, total gross thermoelectric energy production amounted to 162 TWh, of which 59.5% was generated by combined heat and power (CHP) plants (Table 1).
With respect to total gross traditional thermoelectric production, the share of cogeneration increased from 21% in 1997 to 59.5% in 2023, while cogeneration accounted for 36.4% of total electricity production (see indicator 'Electricity Production by Source'). Over the long term, there has been a clear increase in the share of electricity generated in combination with heat production (Table 1). Gross electricity generation from cogeneration rose by 129.2% in 2023 compared to 1997, whereas electricity-only generation declined by 58.5% over the same period.
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Table 1: Gross Electricity Production from Cogeneration Plants Data source
TERNA S.p.A. |
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Table 2: Net Electricity Production from Cogeneration Plants Data source
TERNA S.p.A. |
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Figure 1: Gross Electricity Production from Cogenerative and Non-Cogenerative Thermoelectric Plants Data source
TERNA S.p.A. |
The share of cogeneration relative to gross thermoelectric production reached its peak value in 2023, amounting to 59.5% (36.14% of total electricity production). Following the economic crisis, thermoelectric production drastically declined (-33.7% in 2014 compared to 2007). From 2015 onwards, a recovery in thermoelectric production was observed until 2017, followed by a downturn that intensified in 2020 due to lockdown measures implemented to contain the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This is followed by two years of increasing thermoelectric generation, and a sudden contraction in 2023 (−18.4% year on year; Table 1).