Recording of Monday, June 22, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 8:22 .

Italy's Strategic Goals for Energy Storage by 2030

Italy aims to reach 71.5 gigawatt hours of energy storage by 2030, demonstrating a strong commitment to optimizing its energy systems. The strategy is rooted in two primary mechanisms: the capacity market, which ensures an adequate energy supply, and the maxi auctions that enhance flexibility and improve solar energy efficiency. These maxi auctions are specifically designed for energy storage systems using lithium-ion batteries. An innovative tolling agreement with the Italian TSO will manage plant operations for a guaranteed fee over 15 years. Additionally, efforts are being made to enhance energy storage in southern islands, which are potential renewable energy exporters, targeting a storage duration extension from two to six or eight hours. Recent maxi auctions showed significant engagement, resulting in over-subscription and a total awarded capacity mostly for 2027. However, current achievements still fall short of targets, highlighting operational risks in the renewable sector due to market concentration and execution complexities. Recommendations will focus on enhancing resilience and local production capabilities to support future growth.

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Speaker

Matteo Lionetti
Utility-scale BESS working group coordinator
ANIE
Italy

Andrea Cristini
CEO
vexuvo s.r.l.
Italy

Talk of session: Auctions and CfDs: The Strategic Role of CfDs and Tenders for Solar plus Storage in the Energy Transition

As merchant and PPA revenues decline amid negative price trends and falling capture rates, auctions and Contracts for Difference (CfDs) are regaining strategic importance for large-scale solar and storage projects. CfDs remain the backbone of renewable financing, providing price certainty and lowering capital costs. At the same time, auction models must evolve to incentivize flexibility and prevent grid congestion. New EU rules permit non-price criteria in tenders and other publicprocurement processes in order to strengthen resilience and support EU supply chains. This session examines how auctions and CfDs can secure clean capacity, integrate storage and reinforce Europe's energy security and competitiveness.

Key topics:

• Auctions / CfDs in a low capture price environment
• European auction landscape overview
• Incentivizing flexibility and storage
• Non-price criteria and resilience requirements
• The role of auctions in energy security and industrial policy

Further Talks of this session:

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker

Tobias Biller
Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager
RWE Renewables Europe & Australia GmbH
Germany

To Talk

Europe's Solar Lifeline: The Critical Role of Renewable Auctions Through 2035

Speaker

Victoria Ortega
Analyst, European Power & Renewables, Solar
Wood Mackenzie
United Kingdom

To Talk

Learnings From the Uks Cfd Scheme

Speaker

Chris Hewett
CEO
Solar Energy UK
United Kingdom

To Talk

Panel Discussion: Discussing the Strategic Role of CfDs and Auctions for Solar & Storage

To Talk