In December, Sardinia’s Regional Council approved the Suitable Areas Decree, becoming the first region to adopt the legislation. While the regional government claims the law will «protect the territory and biodiversity,» renewable energy sector entities criticize the regulation, arguing that it blocks wind and solar development and slows the energy transition.
It is worth noting that Italy’s Council of State temporarily suspended the Decree at the national level until February 5, as judges suggested it may not fully align with national legislation.
According to Raffaello Giacchetti, President of GIS-Gruppo Impianti Solari, the decree designates almost the entire territory as unsuitable for renewable energy projects, including industrial areas and contaminated sites that could benefit from such installations. “Sardinia has chosen to block renewable energy development in favor of other resources for reasons that are hard to understand,” Giacchetti states.
Significant Impact
The measure’s impact could be substantial. According to GIS, it may set a worrying precedent for other regions, which are also required to carry out similar classifications. “We fear other local governments will follow this misguided example, further hindering renewable energy development in Italy,” the association warns.
“It is important not to be misled by reports claiming that 7.5 GW of renewable energy was installed in 2024. These figures reflect projects submitted for approval four or five years ago and are only now being completed. In reality, very few new authorizations are being granted,” Giacchetti adds.
About the Decree
The decree classifies territory into «suitable areas,» «ordinary areas,» and «unsuitable areas» for renewable energy plant installations. «Suitable areas» are those where authorization processes are simplified and faster, while «unsuitable areas» are generally excluded from installations to protect Sardinia’s cultural and landscape heritage.
Unsuitable areas include natural parks, fishing zones, archaeological sites, coastal regions within 300 meters of the shoreline, high-quality protected agricultural land, and areas affected by fires or near valuable forests.
One provision of the law establishes a €678 million fund (2025-2030) to promote photovoltaic installations and storage systems, offering grants and financial incentives for rooftop systems for citizens, ground-mounted installations for businesses, and projects for renewable energy communities.
The Sardinia Suitable Areas Law also replaces the 18-month regional moratorium on new renewable projects, which is currently being challenged by the Italian government.
The Divide Between National Laws and Regional Decrees
At the national level, Italy has implemented regulations like the FER Decree, which simplifies procedures for plants in industrial areas. However, regional implementation often creates barriers. The association points out that while national laws aim to accelerate projects, “regional governments, municipalities, and other entities frequently impose obstacles that delay development for years and lead to prolonged legal disputes.”
This contrast highlights the disconnect between the central government’s objectives and local decisions. “Bureaucracy and ignorance are the main barriers to renewable growth,” emphasizes the GIS president.
Proposals to Boost Renewables
To overcome these obstacles, GIS proposes concrete solutions. Giacchetti suggests that each municipality allocate 3% of its territory for photovoltaic plants and 0.3% for wind turbines. “If this policy were adopted, we would not only meet the 2030 targets but also minimize the local impact,” he asserts.
Additionally, the association actively disseminates accurate information about photovoltaics, debunking myths and promoting the sector’s benefits.
Pessimistic Outlook for 2025
The association maintains a pessimistic outlook for 2025. “Many of our members are stuck because regional governments are blocking plants approved by the Ministry of the Environment,” Giacchetti explains, citing a case in Sardinia where a project was halted based on outdated and incomplete information.
“The situation is particularly severe in Sardinia. Although we recently received two positive environmental evaluations for projects there, the environmental chancellor is contesting them. We fear it will become increasingly difficult to move forward,” he concludes.
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