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Electricity in Italy in 2023

Global Ranking: #57
35.5% #99 Low-carbon electricity
547.31 watts #64 Generation / person
334.17 gCO2eq/kWh #76 Carbon Intensity

As of 2023, Italy's electricity consumption portfolio comprised of slightly more than 40% fossil energy, close to a third from gas, and approximately 35.52% from low-carbon sources. The share of low-carbon energy was split between hydropower, which accounted for nearly 15%, solar and wind with roughly 8.5% and 8.2% respectively, biofuels with just over 2%, and geothermal with almost 2%. Nearly one-fifth of the country's electricity requirement was met by net imports. In total, coal usage amounted to just over 6% of the country's electricity consumption.

Suggestions

To increase their low-carbon electricity generation, Italy could draw insights from countries like France, Slovakia, and Ukraine, where the extensive use of nuclear power contributes to 66%, 61%, and 58% of their respective electricity generation. The increased use of nuclear energy could substantially drive down Italy's dependence on fossil fuels and augment its low-carbon energy portfolio. Similarly, the emphasis on wind energy in countries including Denmark, Ireland, and Germany, contributing to 59%, 35%, and 30% of their respective electricity generation, could also offer valuable strategies. Additionally, the success of solar energy in Greece, accounting for almost 20% of its electricity, could serve as a reference in bolstering Italy's solar power generation.

History

The history of low-carbon energy in Italy has been dominated by fluctuations in hydropower generation. In the late 1970s, there was a notable increase in hydropower, only to witness a decline in the following year. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw a similar pattern, with a significant drop in nuclear power in 1987 followed by unpredictable shifts in hydropower generation. The introduction of solar energy in 2011 marked a new phase in Italy's low-carbon energy journey, contributing nearly 9 TWh of electricity in its inaugural year. However, the ensuing years have been characterised by alternating periods of gain and loss in hydropower and biofuels.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources

For the years 1971 to 1984 the data sources are World Bank and IEA (imports/exports).
For the years 1985 to 1989 the data sources are Energy Institute and IEA (imports/exports).
For the years 1990 to 2019 the data source is IEA.
For the years 2020 to 2022 the data source is Ember.
For the year 2023 the data source is ENTSOE.
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