Over the 12 months from June 2025 to May 2026, Italy's electricity consumption comprised almost equal shares of fossil-based and low-carbon sources. Fossil fuels accounted for slightly more than 42% of the total electricity, with natural gas being the prominent contributor at almost 39% and oil being a minimal part at less than 2%. Low-carbon sources, including solar, hydropower, wind, biofuels, and geothermal, made up over 40% of the electricity mix. Solar energy was the largest clean source, contributing nearly 14.5%, while hydropower and wind accounted for about 12.5% and 7.3% respectively, with biofuels and geothermal providing smaller shares. Net imports made up roughly 16% of Italy's electricity, revealing a reliance on external sources alongside domestic generation.

Is Electricity Growing in Italy?

Italy's recent electricity consumption trends raise concerns about growth. The latest figure of 5344 kWh per person marks a significant decrease from the peak of 6112 kWh per person recorded in 2006, reflecting a decline of 768 kWh per person. This downward trend is disappointing given the global need for more electricity to support sustainable development and technological advances. Additionally, Italy's low-carbon electricity generation also exhibited stagnation, with the latest figure of 2174 kWh per person slightly below the previous high of 2202 kWh per person set in 2024. This minor decline signals an urgent need for robust policies and investments to bolster low-carbon electricity capacity and to reverse this stagnation.

Suggestions

To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Italy can build on its existing solar capacity since it already generates a significant portion of electricity from this clean source. Italy should consider expanding solar installations, learning from regions like California and Nevada, where solar contributes over 30% of electricity. Furthermore, the potential of nuclear energy should not be overlooked, given its ability to provide reliable baseload power. Italy can take inspiration from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy accounts for more than half of their electricity generation. Investments in both nuclear and solar energy will not only diversify Italy's electricity mix but also help reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, aiding in climate change mitigation and reducing air pollution.

History

Looking at the history of low-carbon electricity in Italy, various fluctuations have shaped its current landscape. In the late 1970s, Italy experienced a significant boost in hydropower, generating an additional 12 TWh in 1977. However, the late 1980s saw a critical decline in nuclear energy, with an 8.6 TWh reduction in 1987, posing challenges that demanded attention. Hydropower has seen its ups and downs, with notable declines in the early 2000s but subsequent recoveries in 2008 and 2013. The 2010s marked an era of progress for solar energy, with significant gains in 2011 and 2012. The hydropower output continued to be volatile, with declines in the mid-2010s but eventual recovery in 2018 and further fluctuations in the following years. As Italy continues to navigate the complexities of low-carbon electricity generation, it is crucial to prioritize stability and expansion in its clean energy strategies going forward.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jun 2025 – May 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.