Italy depends on imported natural gas for nearly half of its electricity production, the highest share in the EU in 2025 [1, 2, 3]. Despite passing a 2024 law offering incentives for offshore wind projects, the government has yet to announce the promised auction timeline by 2028, causing frustration among investors like Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. Michele Schiavone, the firm's Italian country manager, said, "The (government’s) silence is not just preventing us going forwards, it is taking us backwards. It’s an own-goal that is too bad to be true" [1, 3].
The surge in electricity prices comes amid Italy's continued fossil fuel dependency and geopolitical disruptions, including the Iran war triggered by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes and supply route disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz at the end of February 2026 [1]. Italy’s energy costs have contributed to economic slowdown and high inflation in recent years [2, 3].
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has delayed green investments and been criticized for prioritizing ideology over scientific energy policies [2, 3]. Italy reduced the share of EU post-pandemic recovery funds allocated to green economy projects under Meloni’s leadership since 2022 [2, 3].
Legislation extended coal power plant operations until 2038 and pushed to restart nuclear power despite two public referendums rejecting it [2, 3]. Between 2020 and 2024, Italy's renewable energy share grew by just over 2 percentage points, far behind Spain's 17 points and Germany's 10 points increase [1]. Experts attribute delays to bureaucracy, local opposition, and entrenched fossil fuel reliance [3].
Instead of accelerating renewables, Italy continues actively seeking new fossil gas suppliers internationally as part of a strategy begun after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine [1].
The government’s failure to implement announced offshore wind auctions and slow green transition remain key concerns. The planned auctions remain expected by 2028 per the 2024 law, providing a near-term milestone to watch [1, 2, 3].
