Industry reports suggest that the Italian government is set to launch a series of initiatives aimed at lessening the country's dependence on imported gas this winter following a tight supply period in 2005/6.
The European Daily Electricity Markets journal reports that use of oil in the power generation sector will be at the heart of the country’s strategy, based on proposals outlined by the government’s ministry for economic development.
Among the specific details, the government says that transport tariffs to gas plant could be increased in a bid to prevent excessive demands for gas, while major I&C users may in future be incentivized to adopt interruptible gas contracts. Italy also hopes that greater use of low-sulphur gasoil in the generation process will help keep the country’s on course to hit its emissions targets.