Digital Platform for Renewable Eligible Areas: the decree with the operating rules has been published

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Emma Potter

What is the Suitable Areas Digital Platform (PAI) for?

Made at Energy Services Manager (GSE), the Suitable Areas Platform represents an essential tool for local administrations, allowing them to have a clear and detailed vision of the territory. The platform contains a vast range of useful information for territorial and environmental planning, facilitating the achievement of the objectives of the National Integrated Plan for Energy and Climate (PNIEC) and the “Fit for 55” package.

The main features of the platform are:

  • characterization and qualification of the territory: both with regard to infrastructures already built and present, and those that have been authorized or are in the process of authorisation. In this way, the Regions and Autonomous Provinces can obtain a complete assessment of the areas suitable for the future installation of renewable energy plants, avoiding conflicts with already existing infrastructures;
  • estimate of the installable potential: one of the most useful services offered by the platform is the possibility of estimating the installable potential of renewable energy systems and classifying surfaces and areas based on their suitability. This service can be used by authorized parties;
  • data acquisition and exchange: the platform facilitates the sharing of data with other Public Administrations and bodies that hold information relevant to the characterization of the territory;
  • interoperability with other platforms: the PAI is interoperable with the Single Digital Platform for Renewable Source Plants, provided for byarticle 19 of Legislative Decree 199 of 2021and with other IT tools at national, regional, provincial and municipal levels;
  • data monitoring and updating: one of the fundamental characteristics of the platform is the availability of data for monitoring activities. In particular, the data referred to inarticle 48 of Legislative Decree 199 of 2021 they will be used to verify compliance with energy objectives by the Regions and Autonomous Provinces. Furthermore, the platform ensures that the data is constantly updated, providing administrations with always accurate and current information;
  • data processing for institutional purposes: all data processed by the platform is used exclusively for institutional purposes related to land planning and the installation of renewable energy systems.

Digital Platform Suitable Areas (PAI): timing

Within sixty days from the date of entry into force of the decree in question, the GSE guarantees the launch of the Platform by making at least the data and information available to it and those of the GSE Group Companies accessible and constantly updated.

These include data relating to the qualification of the territory and the classification of surfaces and areas, in particular, the data relating to energy consumption present within the Integrated Information System, including the technical and personal information useful for monitoring active customers , the qualification, classification and geomorphological and climatological characterization of the territory.

Within one hundred and eighty days from the date of entry into force of the decree, the GSE guarantees access, in viewing mode, to the data and information of the Platform areas suitable for Municipalities limited to their own territory.

The decree suitable areas for renewables and the PAI platform

The published decree is closely linked to the Decree of 21 June 2024which regulates the identification of surfaces and areas suitable for the installation of renewable energy systems. The main objectives of this decree include the distribution between the Regions and Autonomous Provinces of an additional power of 80 GW from renewable sources and the definition of homogeneous principles and criteria to identify suitable and unsuitable surfaces. These criteria will be fundamental to accelerate the energy transition process, contributing to the achievement of the objectives of the PNIEC and the European “Fit for 55” package.

With the Decree of 21 June 2024 it is established that the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Securitywith the support of GSE Spa and of Research on the Energy System – RSE Spacarries out monitoring and verification activities of the obligations of the Regions and Autonomous Provinces. The outcomes of these activities are integrated into the PAI platform, contributing to the transparency and effectiveness of the territorial planning system.