Italy ranks second in Europe for growth in solar energy production
In the first half of the year 2024, Italy recorded a growth of 17.4% in the production of solar energy, positioning itself at the second place among the countries of the European Union, immediately after Poland.
This result highlights the growing competitiveness of Italy in the renewable energy sector and its commitment to the energy transition.
Companies and employees in the renewable energy supply chain
In 2024, Italy can count on one renewable energy supply chain extremely active and articulate. Confartigianato notes that 94,372 businessessupported by over 354,885 employeesare engaged in the production, installation and maintenance of renewable energy systems and equipment.
These businesses operate in sectors such as: manufacturing of engines, generators, electrical transformers, turbines and turbo-alternators, production of electrical energy, recovery and preparation for recycling of solid urban and industrial waste and biomass, installation of electrical systems in buildings.
Circular economy: a resource for employment in Italy
In addition to renewable energy, the circular economy sector plays a key role in support environmental and social sustainability. In Italy, there are many companies operating in the circular economy 182,370with a total of 553,000 employees.
Among these, the artisan businesses represent an important share, with 122,868 units. Lombardy leads the regional ranking in terms of number of employees in this sector with 96,330 workers, followed by Lazio, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Campania.
At the provincial level, Rome, Milan and Turin they hold the highest numbers of employees engaged in the circular economy, confirming the strategic role of these territories.
Renewables are in the future of businesses
Confartigianato supports the importance of encouragingself-production of energy through small photovoltaic systems, especially in production areas and on industrial buildings, to avoid further land consumption.
Marco GranelliPresident of Confartigianato, highlights how the increase in self-production plants can reduce energy costs and reduce emissionshelping to create new opportunities for businesses and employment.
Granelli underlines the importance of the creation of energy communitiesfundamental for spreading renewable energy on a large scale, reduce energy dependence and promote an equitable distribution of the benefits of the ecological transition.
