"D" for decarbonization

According to the recommendations of the United Nations and the European Union, in the coming years, the electricity system should be sustainable, decarbonised and characterised by a predominance of renewable sources. Decarbonisation of the electricity system involves moving away from the traditional sources of energy, such as coal and fossil fuels, towards renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, water and bioenergies. A country decarbonises when the amount of renewable sources and natural gas used for the production of energy increases compared to coal and other more polluting fossil fuels, in turn reducing the amount of CO₂ emissions. Coal is the fossil fuel with the highest carbon content, followed by oil and then natural gas. Therefore, decarbonisation is essential in order to leave future generations a cleaner and safer planet.

The electricity system’s transition towards complete decarbonisation requires the activation of all necessary levers for the full integration of production plants from renewable sources in order reduce emissions over the long-term and guarantee the security of the system. Terna has identified the main objective for the decarbonisation of a country’s economy. Through decommissioning coal-fired production plants and integrating energy from renewable sources into the grid, we can gradually take action on the entire energy process and contribute to the achievement of European targets.

Development goals

The energy sector is at the forefront of the international strategy to fight global warming. The United Nations, the European Union and Italian institutions are in agreement on the shared guidelines for sustainable development at an economic, environmental and social level.

The Paris Climate Agreement, defined during COP21 in December 2015, reinforced the focus on renewable energy sources in order to limit global warming. For the first time in history, the United Nations’ agenda, with expiry in 2030, includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure the well-being of all. Terna's activities are an integral part of the sustainable development covered by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The European Union has committed to reducing CO₂ emissions by at least 40% by 2030, setting a target for renewable energy sources to represent at least 27% of total generation. In terms of the Clean Energy Package (Clean Energy for All Europeans) approved at the end of 2016 by the European Commission, the main aim remains to strengthen energy efficiency, achieve international leadership in renewable energy and guarantee the secure provision of electricity.

Presented to the European Commission at the beginning of 2019, the integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) incorporates the European Union’s Clean Energy Package and Regulation 2018/1999 on the evolution of the energy sector and provides fundamental guidelines on the development policies for the Italian national energy system. The NECP has updated the National Energy Strategy (SEN) goals on energy efficiency, decarbonisation, domestic market, energy security and research, innovation and development. According to the plan, by 2030, 30% of gross final consumption will have to be covered by renewable sources (RES), and a reduction of 43% in primary energy consumption and 39.7% in final energy consumption is expected. On the emissions front, the target is a 33% reduction in greenhouse gases across all sectors.