Italian excellences: 100 stories of innovation in renewable energy

37,655 companies in Italy, with approximately 800 of them  focused on the development of new, cutting-edge technologies. They generate a revenue of 12 billion euros and employ 37,000 people. The industrial supply chain of the renewable energy sector has proven itself to be a strategic asset for our country. In Europe, Italy ranks as the second largest producer of green technologies after Germany, excluding wind power in which half of production is Danish. This data emerged from the report: “100 Italian Renewable Energy Stories,” which we compiled together with Symbola Foundation, in collaboration with KEY - The Energy Transition Expo.

This evidence to excellence was illuminated in a timely manner by the research that compiled the one hundred most innovative Italian companies in the sector, confirming that our country can play a leading role in the energy transition challenge.

This snapshot reflects the strengths of an interconnected system of entrepreneurial, public and third sector players that are distributed throughout the territory and are active in various segments of the supply chain, in which solutions and technologies related to both electric generation and infrastructure are supplied.

After having explored the most innovative Made in Italy stories in the e-mobility, automation, circular economy and life sciences supply chains, we presented this new report in our auditorium in Rome on May 29. There to participate were Symbola President Ermete Realacci, our Head of Italy Nicola Lanzetta, and several representatives from the companies of excellence included in the report.

The report is not limited to simply listing virtuous examples of entrepreneurship, but instead provides a complete picture of this ecosystem that is active in the growth of the entire supply chain, both Italian and European. The results achieved are extremely significant: an additional 5.8 GW of wind and photovoltaic capacity installed during 2023, double compared to the previous year and almost quintuple compared to 2021.

More generally speaking, Italy’s renewable energy generation is up 15.9% compared to the previous year. Two-thirds of this increase is related to hydroelectric generation (38.2% more than 2022), and one-third of it is attributed to wind and solar generation.

A reported 39.2% of companies in the sector are involved in installation and maintenance, 13.8% in power generation, 12.3% in trade, 9.6% in manufacturing, 6.4% in rental and property management and 6.1% in consulting, testing and monitoring. A portion of Made in Italy technologies and components are destined for export. Italy is responsible for 3% of world exports, making it the sixth largest exporter after China, Germany, the United States, Japan and Hong Kong. 

“We are still in the middle of a long journey in which we must act as a team, focusing decisively on renewables in order to reach the challenging climate goals of the 2030 Agenda,” said Lanzetta. “It is therefore necessary to continue to invest in technologies and innovation, in storage systems that ensure proper management of the energy produced, and in modernization, resiliency and digitalization of grids, which are the lynchpin of the energy system and transition of the country.”

We work every day on these commitments in line with our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, which focuses on grids, renewables and customers.

Among the examples of Italian excellence is our 3Sun Gigafactory in Catania, to which the report devotes an in-depth review. It is not only the largest solar panel factory in Italy and Europe, contributing to the Continent’s energy and technology independence, but it is also a true hub of research, development and production that aims to make Sicily’s Etna Valley a cutting-edge model in the global context.

Download the report: “100 Italian Renewable Energy Stories”