The European Commission awards Italy for the National Programme Solar Islands

On the 9th of December, in Salamanca, the Italian Ministry of Environment was awarded by the European Commission for the National Programme Solar Islands, within the framework of the campaign for the development of renewable energies sources, foreseen by the European White Book (Campaign for Take-Off for Renewable Energies).

The Vice-President of the European Commission Loyola de Palacio and the Secretary of State for Energy in Spain, José Folgado, attended the Ceremony organized by ObservER, ETA-Florence and WIP. The best European programmes for the diffusion of renewable energies sources were awarded: Austria for the best regional campaign; the United Kingdom and Sweden in the category A 100% renewable energies Community; France for the best national campaign; Germany for the initiative taken by the City of Munich; the Netherlands for a programme for rural electrification in Mali; the special Award of the jury was given to Italy and Belgium.
Italy the Italian Minister of Environment, Altero Matteoli, said has been rewarded for its innovative approach, which aims to remove the barriers for the diffusion of renewables energies in the small islands of Italy. I am very pleased of this recognition, which rewards the effort made by the small islands which, with the interest shown in identifying a energy strategy with the objective to ameliorate the efficiency of end uses and cover local demand for electricity with renewable energies, are on the right way to achieving sustainable development.
The Programme, which is promoted by the National Association of Small Islands (ANCIM) boasts the participation of 30 islands; 12 have presented preliminary projects within the energy sector: Capraia, Capri, Favignana, Giglio, Gorgona, Lipari, Maddalena e Asinara, Palmarola, Panarea, Pantalleria, Salina e Ventotene.
The first 5 islands selected for finance, Pantelleria, Ventotene, Gorgona, Giglio and Panarea, are scheduled to finish the foreseen plants in the coming 24 months.
If all the proposed interventions are realized, investments of more than 22 million Euro will be made, with the following results:,- installations of 2 MW of wind energy, 1 MW of photovoltaic energy, 5000 square meters of solar panels,- electricity production and savings of 5500 and 5000 Megawatt hours respectively per year ,- emissions avoided: 9000 tons of carbon anhydride, 20000 tons of nitrogen oxides, 9000 tons of sulfur oxides,- on some islands the percentage of the electricity demand covered by renewable energies would reach highs of 50%
Salamanca, 9 December 2002,Colegio Arzobispo Fonseca,

Countries

Italy