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Italy divided on possible solar plant curbs that may jeopardise green objectives

Italy's rightwing coalition is split over a possible ban on the installation of photovoltaic panels on agricultural land, according to prepare decrees and federal government officials, a relocation that might jeopardise Rome's decarbonisation goals.

At the end of a meeting of G7 energy ministers recently, Italy and its partners committed to triple set up eco-friendly energy capability by 2030 and stage out coal-fired power plants in the very first half of the next years.

However a draft decree prepared by Agricultural Minister Francesco Lollobrigida and seen rules that locations. categorized as farming by municipal strategies are unsuitable for. the installation of photovoltaic systems with modules put on. the ground.

The ban is part of a more comprehensive package of measures focused on. securing farming and fisheries.

Lollobrigida's strategies have actually however fulfilled resistance from Energy. Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, who supports national efforts. to decarbonise, government authorities said, adding the issue. would be gone over at Monday's 1530 GMT cabinet meeting.

A separate draft includes references to arrangements aimed at. limiting use of agricultural land without detailing them, a. signal that the conflict is still alive.

Neither ministry was instantly offered for comment.

Italy in 2015 included almost 6 gigawatt (GW) in sustainable. energy capability, generally through the advancement of small solar. plants, with wind jobs accounting for just 8% of the brand-new. green capability.

Limitations on solar plants might adversely impact energy. companies including ERG and ALERION, which. have growth targets in the solar sector, financial analysts at. Italian broker Equita said.

On the other hand, a downturn in the development of solar. capability could be positive for power generators including Enel. , A2A and IREN, which may suffer. pressure on prices if solar energy speeds up, the experts. stated.