The Association of Consumers and Producers of Renewable Energy (ACEPER) has announced the shutdown of 10,000 photovoltaic plants nationwide for three days. These plants are capable of producing over 900 GWh of clean electricity, equivalent to the energy needs of six large cities (Naples, Rome, Bologna, Bari, Palermo, and Milan) combined.

This striking gesture aims to send a strong signal of protest against the ambivalent and unclear stance of the Italian government. On one hand, the government promotes energy transition and renewable sources, but on the other, it approves decrees that go in the opposite direction and strengthens ties with major global fossil fuel producers (such as Algeria, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar).

The skyrocketing cost of energy, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, threatens to cripple the renewable energy sector in Italy, which ironically should be the ‘engine’ of Italy’s energy transition. Veronica Pitea, director of ACEPER, states in a note: “If the Government does not amend the ‘Decree Sostegni ter’ and Article 36 linked to the 2020 Budget Law, providing alternative measures for renewable energy producers (for example, ‘revamping’ the plants, that is, replacing parts of the plant and repairing it to restore optimal production), it would become unsustainable for us to keep our plants open, and it would be more advantageous to shut everything down rather than operate at a loss.”

If it becomes a reality, the announced shutdown would pose a significant threat to various productive activities nationwide that rely on these plants for energy—from agriculture to industry and crafts. Additionally, these plants employ over 70,000 people, who would suddenly find themselves unemployed.

This is why ACEPER hopes for a different management of the energy crisis caused by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which would lead to greater attention (also economically) to renewable energies, allowing them to play an increasingly central role in the energy landscape of our country.