Recording of Monday, June 22, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 8:22 .
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
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.
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Further Talks of this session:
Speaker
Tobias Biller
Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager
RWE Renewables Europe & Australia GmbH
Germany
Speaker
Victoria Ortega
Analyst, European Power & Renewables, Solar
Wood Mackenzie
United Kingdom
Speaker
Chris Hewett
CEO
Solar Energy UK
United Kingdom