by EH
In an era where climate commitments are pressing and communities worldwide are grappling with energy challenges, Friuli Venezia Giulia is taking a bold step forward. Regional leaders announced plans to study the creation of a first-of-its-kind renewable energy community, “Io Sono FVG” (I Am Friuli Venezia Giulia), that would unify energy efforts across localities into a single, sustainable framework. The proposed system could position the region as a pioneering model for green energy governance in Italy, officials say.
The announcement came at Trieste’s Chamber of Commerce during InsiemEnergia, a regional event focused on the evolution of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), which enable neighborhoods, towns, and rural areas to collectively produce, manage, and benefit from locally generated energy. Spearheading the project is Fabio Scoccimarro, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s Regional Councillor for Environmental Protection, who sees “Io Sono FVG” as an opportunity not just for innovative energy management, but as an emblem of a “shared identity and collective participation in energy sustainability.”
The Role of Renewable Energy Communities in Italy’s Green Transition
As Europe tightens regulations to curb carbon emissions, Friuli Venezia Giulia, home to both historic cities like Trieste and rural communities that form Italy’s frontier with Slovenia and Austria, is aligning itself with these goals. The concept of Renewable Energy Communities — collectives that share in producing and consuming energy — has gained traction in recent years as European Union policies encourage decentralized and community-driven energy projects.
“Renewable Energy Communities are essential for reducing CO₂ emissions, increasing the share of renewables, and promoting self-consumption,” said Scoccimarro. “Their role is fundamental to ensuring a fair and just energy transition, bringing environmental, economic, and social benefits to both urban and rural communities.”
The region’s proposed system, “Io Sono FVG,” could establish a coordinated network of these RECs, creating a more resilient energy grid across the region. This would give local communities, even those remote or sparsely populated, a chance to participate in a unified project with potential environmental, financial, and social returns.
A Regional Energy Plan Puts RECs at Center Stage
To bring this concept to fruition, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s newly launched Regional Energy Plan places renewable energy communities at the heart of its agenda. The plan not only targets an increase in renewable energy production but also aims to enhance local resilience and self-sufficiency in the face of rising energy prices and the ongoing volatility of fossil fuel markets.
Key provisions of the plan include dedicated incentives to encourage localities to form their own RECs or expand existing ones. These measures could prove critical in bolstering the capacity of small and midsize communities to embrace green energy. In the plan, Energy Communities are “strategic pillars,” with support for initiatives covering start-up costs, technical support, and sustained operation.
“In this context, the Energy Plan is not only about boosting the share of renewables,” Scoccimarro said, “but also about improving energy resilience and making sustainable energy accessible to all local communities.”
State Funds and New Funding Lines to Catalyze Projects
From 2022 to 2023, Friuli Venezia Giulia invested €28.75 million in photovoltaic installations and the establishment of local RECs. Starting in early 2025, the Region will add a new line of funding specifically for RECs, offering economic incentives and grants to support the formation and expansion of these communities. For participating organizations, this could cover part of the costs for renewable energy facilities and technologies for shared energy management.
“The goal is to encourage local communities to adopt sustainable energy production models, cut costs, and create shared value,” said Scoccimarro, adding that the funding is designed to make entry into the renewable sector more feasible for small-scale entities.
Looking to a Sustainable Future with “Io Sono FVG”
“Io Sono FVG” has the potential to become a blueprint not just for Friuli Venezia Giulia but for other regions in Italy and beyond seeking to make energy transition more equitable. Scoccimarro envisions the program as a symbol of local pride, an opportunity to align the region’s diverse landscapes and communities with a shared commitment to sustainability.
With initiatives like this, Friuli Venezia Giulia is positioning itself at the forefront of Italy’s green movement, driven by a vision of sustainability that is as collaborative as it is ambitious.
