Antonio Caputo
This indicator analyzes the evolution of electricity production from renewable sources in Italy from 1990 to 2024 (expressed in TWh), showing data by type of energy source. Total renewable production grew from 34.9 TWh in 1990 to 134.4 TWh in 2024, a nearly fourfold increase. The structure of renewable generation has radically transformed: while in 1990 the hydroelectric (31.6 TWh) and geothermal (3.2 TWh) components accounted for all green energy, in 2024 the contribution is highly diversified thanks to the contribution of photovoltaic (36 TWh), wind (22.3 TWh), bioenergy (17.2 TWh), and hydroelectric (53.1 TWh). In percentage terms, photovoltaic covers 27%, wind 17%, hydroelectric 40%, bioenergy 13%, and geothermal 4%.
The indicator measures the electricity produced by plants powered by renewable sources.
Evaluate the contribution of clean and inexhaustible energy sources to total electricity production, with a view to increasing their use.
Directive 2009/28/EC, transposed into national law by Legislative Decree No. 28 of 3 March 2011, establishes the share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption for 2020 for each European Union country; these shares include both energy consumption from renewable sources for electricity generation and for thermal and transport uses. The indicative target for the electricity sector for 2020, calculated as the ratio between normalized electricity production from renewable sources and gross domestic consumption, was 26.4%, while the indicative target for 2030 set by the National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) is 63%. Legislative Decree No. 199 of 2021, the implementing decree for Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of renewable energy, establishes the distribution of the minimum capacity of renewable energy plants between regions and autonomous provinces. Following the aforementioned legislative decree, the decree of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) of June 21, 2024, identifies the distribution among regions and autonomous provinces of the 2030 national target of an additional 80 GW of renewable energy capacity compared to December 31, 2020, required to achieve the objectives set by the Italian National Energy Strategy (PNIEC) and meet the new targets resulting from the implementation of the "Fit for 55" plan, also in light of the "Repower EU" initiative. Monitoring and verification of the requirements established by the June 21, 2024, decree are the responsibility of MASE, with the support of GSE and RSE.
Terna - National Electricity Network S.p.A.
Terna S.p.A., Statistical data on electricity in Italy https://www.terna.it/it/sistema-elettrico/statistiche/pubblicazioni-statistiche
National
1990-2024
Gross electricity production from renewable sources (GWh).
The data is collected by Terna S.p.A.
In 2024, gross electricity production from renewable energy plants reached a record level of 134.35 TWh, exceeding previous historical peaks and showing a decisive push from solar photovoltaic and hydroelectric recovery compared to previous years. Photovoltaic is the leading renewable source after hydroelectric with approximately 36 TWh, followed by wind (22.3 TWh) and bioenergy (17.2 TWh). In the hydroelectric sector, the power class above 10 MW remains the backbone with 37.8 TWh, supported by a significant contribution from small hydroelectric (0-1 MW and 1-10 MW), which together produce 15.3 TWh. Photovoltaic's contribution to total renewable sources is 27% (Table 1). Wind represents 17%. Hydroelectricity accounts for 40%. Bioenergy accounts for 13%, and geothermal energy for the remaining 4%. The share of electricity from renewable sources in total generation is expected to be approximately 50% in 2024, net of pumped storage and storage. To close the gap from the current 50% to 63.4% by 2030, the national strategy calls for a significant acceleration in the installation of wind and photovoltaic plants (approximately 7-8 GW/year of new capacity) and a continuous upgrade of grid infrastructure and storage systems.
The thirty-year trend shows a two-speed trajectory. Until 2007, growth was modest and driven almost exclusively by conventional hydroelectricity and geothermal energy. From 2008 onwards, a decisive turning point was observed: photovoltaic energy increased from just 190 GWh in 2008 to 36 TWh in 2024, while wind energy almost quintupled, from 4.9 GWh to 22.3 TWh. Bioenergy has also seen impressive expansion, rising from 51.5 GWh in 1990 to stabilize at around 17-19 TWh in the last decade. The overall trend confirms a progressive decrease in dependence on hydroelectricity as the sole renewable source, in favor of a balanced and more distributed electricity mix across the country.
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Table 1: Gross electricity production of renewable energy plants Data source
ISPRA processing on Terna data |
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Figure 1: Gross electricity production from renewable sources Data source
ISPRA processing on Terna data |
The analytical breakdown of renewable electricity generation demonstrates the effectiveness of the incentive mechanisms adopted in Italy over the last twenty years. Achieving over 134 TWh from renewable sources represents a fundamental milestone for the country's energy security and decarbonization. However, to sustain the pace required by European objectives and the 2030 NECP, the challenge of the coming years will not be solely related to increasing installed photovoltaic and wind capacity, but to managing the integration of these intermittent sources into the electricity grid. Accelerating authorizations, strengthening transmission networks, and deploying battery-electric storage systems (BESS) will become essential.