From offshore wind in Italy up to 62 billion in added value

The study presented at the III National AERO Conference highlights the economic, employment and environmental potential of offshore wind for Italy.

During the III AERO National Conference , entitled “ Strategies and prospects for the development of offshore renewable energy in Italy ”, held in the Hall of Parliamentary Groups of the Chamber of Deputies, representatives of the Government, Parliament, technical institutions and the industrial world discussed the future of the sector. The initiative was promoted by AERO – Association of Offshore Renewable Energy, with the support of the Parliamentary Intergroup for Sustainable Development.

“ Many accuse us of aiming only for incentives, but offshore wind can give the country much more than it receives: innovation, jobs, sustainability, ” explained AERO president Fulvio Mamone Capria at the opening, underlining how the sector does not only represent an energy issue, but a real industrial and social opportunity.

The Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin , in a video message, spoke of offshore wind as a central tool for decarbonization, stressing: " We must create the conditions to make this sector economically balanced. The positive effects will be felt at the environmental and industrial levels".

A theme also shared by the Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies Nello Musumeci , present in the room. “ We can no longer afford delays. Renewable marine energy is a priority also for the protection of the territory and for the growth of ports ,” underlined Musumeci, highlighting the strategic value of institutional cooperation. The minister also promised to bring the issue of offshore wind power to the meeting of the Interministerial Committee for Maritime Policies to be held on July 29.

At the center of the day of debate, the study commissioned by AERO on the potential of offshore wind, not only from an energy point of view but also from an economic, social and employment point of view. The data were presented by Ksenia Balanda, Head of Offshore Wind Italy of Nadara, and by Michele Schiavone, CEO of COP Italy . The environmental perspectives were instead explored in depth by Prof. Roberto Danovaro , Director of the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences of the Polytechnic University of Marche and President of the Foundation “Patto con il Mare per la Terra” .

According to the AERO study, the construction of new offshore wind farms for a total capacity of 3.8 GW – a value that represents the volume of projects potentially incentivised by the FER2 decree – would involve a total investment of approximately 21.5 billion euros . Of this figure, the share destined to generate direct economic benefits in Italy would be very high: 70% of the construction costs (CAPEX) and 90% of the operating and maintenance costs (OPEX) would be spent on the national territory. The impact on the economy would be amplified by a multiplier of 2.9 : this means that every euro invested in the sector would activate an additional 1.9 euros in additional economic value for the country, thanks to the industrial and employment spin-offs activated along the entire supply chain.

The overall estimated added value therefore amounts to approximately 62 billion euros . This is a concrete opportunity to consolidate Italian leadership in key sectors such as metallurgy, mechanics, shipbuilding and port logistics. The development of offshore wind could also represent a concrete response to the crises underway in strategic sectors such as automotive and steel.

The estimated employment impact is significant. About 11,400 new direct jobs in the construction phase (and 45,600 including the related industries ), with a duration of five years. Over 55% of the employment will be located on a regional basis, particularly in the South . To these are added about 2,000 constant jobs for 30 years in the operational phase .

The study highlights how offshore wind can help preserve jobs at a critical stage for European industry. It would also avoid the loss of skills and the need for social safety nets. The benefits would also translate into increased tax revenues and stability for the territories involved.

Offshore wind is today the most mature and scalable technology to reduce dependence on gas and control the price of energy. The production profile is complementary to photovoltaic. It produces especially when energy prices are higher and reduces the hours in which the Single National Price exceeds €80/MWh.

According to the simulations presented, the overall benefits deriving from the inclusion of offshore wind in the energy mix – between reduction of the PUN and industrial added value – reach 103 billion euros . This compared to costs for FER2 incentives estimated at 30 billion. A share that, in reality, is based on a prudent estimate of the PUN (60 €/MWh) compared to the real value of 2024 (102.6 €/MWh).

The AERO study highlighted the main regulatory and procedural obstacles that slow down the development of the sector. First of all, the lack of indexation of FER2 tariffs with respect to inflation, an element that reduces the economic sustainability of projects. A clear calendar for auctions is also needed, which guarantees visibility to investors and allows for planning the supply chain. Strategic ports must be adapted with targeted investments to accommodate pre-assembly and installation operations.

Finally, the distribution of transmission costs should be reformed. If Terna were to take charge of the network, as happens in more mature markets, the overall costs for the system would be reduced. “ Europe is running. We cannot stand still ,” stressed AERO President Fulvio Mamone Capria.

During the conference, Professor Roberto Danovaro (Università Politecnica delle Marche) presented a broad reflection on the relationship between offshore wind and sea protection . According to Danovaro, it is possible to develop a sustainable energy strategy if supported by scientific data and co-design practices between institutions, industry and communities.

Some fake news about the environmental impact, he explained, arise from a lack of knowledge of the seabed and the positive effects that offshore parks can generate on ecosystems, including as regeneration areas for fishing. “ We need a systemic vision. The sea is a resource, not an obstacle. And stakeholder involvement is the only tool for a fair and shared transition ,” he said.