As part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, to support investments in the agricultural sector.
The European Commission has approved, under the EU rules on state aid, il Italian regime of 1,2 billions, made available through the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience (Pnrr), to support investments in photovoltaic panels in the agricultural sector. The regime will also contribute to the achievement of the strategic objectives of the EU related to the European Green Deal.
Margrethe Vestager, executive vice president responsible for competition policy, he has declared: “This regime gives 1,2 miliardi approvato oggi contribuirà al achievement of Italy's climate goals incoraggiando gli operatori del settore agricolo, such as farmers and processing companies, a utilizzare le renewable energies. In addition to contributing to the objectives of the European Green Deal, this measure will also support the economic development of Italian rural areas, keeping possible distortions of competition to a minimum ".
The provision of the Italian State
The measure notified by Italy, which has an endowment of 1,2 billions, it will be fully funded under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, following the positive evaluation, carried out by the Commission and adopted by the Council, of the plan for Italy's recovery and resilience.
The regime, che durerà until the 30 June 2026, aims to support investment by agricultural enterprises, agri-food and agro-industrial sectors in the use of renewable energy, with the consequent improvement of the competitiveness of the sector and positive effects on the climate. Il sostegno concesso tramite il regime approvato consisterà in direct grants up to 90% of the permitted investment costs, subject to ceilings based on the capacity of the photovoltaic system concerned. Beneficiaries can only invest in photovoltaic capacities that do not exceed their energy needs.
Commission assessment
The Commission assessed the scheme in the light of the state aid framework, in particular the guidelines for state aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas, and the article 107, paragraph 3, letter c), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions.
The Commission found that the scheme: facilitates the development of certain economic activities, in particular investments in photovoltaic panels in the agricultural sector; ha un “effetto di incentive"As the beneficiaries would not make the investments to the same extent in the absence of the aid; ha un limited impact on competition e sugli scambi all’interno dell’Ue. considered healthy and necessary for a balanced diet together with vegetables: it is necessary and appropriate to ensure sustainable growth of the agricultural sector, it is proportionate as any negative effects on competition and trade in the EU will be limited, considering the size of the projects, the amounts of aid and the characteristics of the sector; migliora la competitività del settore agricolo e ha positive effects on the climate, as it encourages operators to use renewable rather than fossil energy. The measure is also in line with the EU's rural development objectives and the EU's strategic objectives for ecological transition.
On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme as it complies with EU state aid rules.
Context
All investments and reforms involving state aid, also those provided for by the national plans for recovery and resilience presented in the context of the RFF, they must be notified to the Commission for prior approval, unless they meet the state aid block exemption conditions.
The Commission evaluates as a priority the measures involving state aid contained in the national recovery plans presented in the context of the RFF and, to facilitate the rapid implementation of the device, provided guidance and support to Member States in the preparatory stages of national plans. At the same time, in the decision-making process, the Commission ensures that the applicable state aid rules are respected, in order to ensure a level playing field in the single market and to ensure that the funds of the Recovery and Resilience Facility are used in a way that minimizes distortions of competition and does not exclude private investment.
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Pignatone: "Crucial for energy transition to agri-food"
“With the green light from the European Commission for public aid for investments in photovoltaic panels in the agricultural sector, a further step is placed, in the wake of the ecological transition, per reduce the cost of energy in our agri-food companies attraverso l’agrisolare. I bandi, soon to be issued, they will be able to rely on 1,5 billions of euros foreseen by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, of which 1,2 billions for the agricultural sector alone e 300 million for the agro-industry. The aid will cover up to 90 percent of the costs of eligible investments while the beneficiaries will be able to invest only in photovoltaic capacities not exceeding their energy needs ". This was declared by the deputy Dedalo Pignatone, M5S group leader in the Agriculture Committee.
“With this measure, the agricultural entrepreneurs, in single or associated form, cooperatives and agro-industrial enterprises potranno installare sui tetti dei fabbricati strumentali pannelli fotovoltaici – prosegue – ma anche rimuovere e smaltire l’amianto, where present, thermally insulate roofs as well as create ventilation systems that will contribute to animal welfare. Il 40 percent of the total resources is reserved for financing projects to be carried out in the southern regions, as foreseen by the Pnrr ".
"The measure joins that of the agricultural sector - adds Pignatone - for plants that guarantee a sustainable and synergistic interaction between energy and agricultural production. Si tratta di more 1,1 billions always financed with the Pnrr su cui sono state emanate le linee guida per l’attuazione. You can participate in the public consultation with your comments by 12 July. With these 2,6 miliardi – conclude – l’Italia agroalimentare può fare un passo enorme verso un abbattimento reale del fabbisogno energetico e dell’impatto ecologico delle proprie lavorazioni”.
