New definition of “energy-intensive enterprise”

Decree-Law No. 131 G.U. No. 228 of 29-9-2023, redesigned the mechanism of the subsidies granted to energy-intensive businesses as of 1 January 2024. As of 1 January 2024, the facilities for energy-intensive companies will be available to those companies which, in the year preceding the submission of the application for the facilities, had an annual electricity consumption of not less than 1 GWh and which meet at least one of the following requirements:

a) they operate in one of the HIGH risk sectors (see Annex 1); b) operate in one of the MEDIUM risk sectors (see Annex 1); c) although they do not operate in any of the sectors referred to in points a) and b), they benefited in the year 2022 and/or 2023 from the previous scheme.

Annex 1 (high and medium risk sectors) Companies that, although they meet the requirements set out in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c), are in a state of difficulty within the meaning of European Commission Communication 2014/C 249/01, are not eligible. Undertakings are subject to the following contributions to cover general system charges to support renewable energies:

• Undertakings (a), to the extent of the lesser of 15 % of the overhead component and 0,5 % of the gross value added of the undertaking;
• Undertakings (b), to the extent of the lower of 25 % of the overhead component and 1 % of the gross value added of the undertaking;
• Undertakings (c), to the extent of the lower value:
  • for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026, between 35 % of the overhead component and 1,5 % of the gross value added of the undertaking
  • for the year 2027, between 55 % of the overhead component and 2,5 % of the gross value added of the undertaking
  • or for the year 2028, between 80 % of the overhead component and 3,5 % of the gross value added of the undertaking.

If the company (b) and (c) (until 31 December 2028) covers at least 50% of its electricity consumption with energy from carbon-free sources, of which at least 10% is guaranteed by means of a forward procurement contract, or at least 5% guaranteed by means of energy produced on site or in its vicinity, then the contribution to cover the system charges is equal to the lower of 15% of the general charge component and 0.5% of the company's GVA. In each year, contributions may in no case be less than the product of 0.5 €/MWh and the electricity taken from the grid. Enterprises qualifying for the facilities are required to carry out an energy audit. The undertakings referred to in the first sentence are obliged to take at least one of the following measures:

1. implement the recommendations set out in the energy audit report, where the amortisation time of the investment does not exceed three years and the related cost does not exceed the amount of the facilitation received;
2. reduce the carbon footprint of electricity consumption by at least 30 per cent of its needs through carbon-free sources;
3. invest a share of at least 50 per cent of the facilitation amount in projects that result in substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Quantum deals precisely with projects that lead to significant reductions in CO2 emissions: it carries out turnkey interventions on lighting systems, achieving energy savings of more than 70% and a reduction in maintenance costs of 95%, by replacing the lighting fixtures in use with new digital LED ones, connected to the Internet. Sources: energylink.it, spinergy.it