Energy: ENEA estimates 3 billion euros savings from energy efficiency measures in 2022

The ENEA 12th Annual Report on Energy Efficiency and the 14th Annual Report on tax deductions for energy saving interventions and use of renewable energy sources in existing buildings estimated a record saving of 3 billion euros in the 2022 national energy bill, thanks to energy efficiency interventions linked to lower imports of oil and gas, equivalent to a CO₂ emissions reduction of approximately 6.5 million tonnes and a saving of slightly over 2.5 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), a result that brings Italy closer to the objectives of the new Energy Efficiency Directive^[1]. The reports were presented during a conference held in Rome at Palazzo Valentini.

“The many challenges of the last two years have led the European Commission to launch a series of legislative actions to support the energy transition and set more ambitious goals for consumption reduction and renewable sources growth”, pointed out ENEA president Gilberto Dialuce. “In a context of far-reaching change – he said – ENEA can play a technical leading role in the transposition and implementation of new policies, providing the necessary support to properly interpret European directives, adapt them to national specifics and coordinate the efforts of the subjects involved. Furthermore, through monitoring activities, ENEA can contribute to the policy learning process which enables to alter the approach, where necessary, along the path to achieving these objectives".

The European objectives

Tax deductions (Ecobonus, Home Bonus and Superbonus) contributed to the positive results towards the EU objectives, with a saving of 1,363 Mtoe (54.3% compared to the 2022 savings), equal to 98.1% of the savings expected according to the trajectories set by the PNIEC^[2] for 2023. Followed by the incentives for sustainable mobility with 0.423 Mtoe (16.8%) and the White Certificates, which accounted for 12.6% of the total annual savings.

An assessment of tax deductions

As concerns the Ecobonus, the mechanism to incentivize energy efficiency in end uses introduced in 2007, the ENEA reports highlight a reduction in interventions in 2022 to just under 940,700 compared to 1.04 millions in 2021, still double the average for the period 2017-2019. The associated investments are 6,823 million euros compared to 7,537 millions in the previous year, while the overall savings amount to 2,136 GWh/year, down compared to 2,652 GWh/year in 2021.

The majority of interventions concern installation of more efficient air conditioning systems (3.08 billion euros, 64.7% of interventions) and replacement of windows and doors (2.38 billion euros, 20.6% of interventions). Approximately 605 millions were invested in thermal insulation, 482 millions in solar shading and around 124 millions in full renovation.

Since 2007, the year the measure was launched, the number of interventions incentivized by the ecobonus has been around 6.4 millions, with an overall saving of almost 25 thousand GWh/year, deriving mainly from partial interventions on individual units and slightly less of 60 billion euros of activated investments.

In 2022 the Home Bonus counted 508 thousand interventions, a 42.36% decrease compared to 2021; however, in terms of energy savings the decrease was lower (-10%), going from 925,033 MWh/year in 2021 to 833,294 MWh in 2022, a trend showing a qualitative improvement in interventions on systems.

On the Superbonus front, ENEA data highlights that as of December 2022 the total number of projects was 352,101, with 60.76 billion euros of investments eligible for funding, of which 45.2 billions for works already completed and an overall saving of 9,050.04 GWh/year. Condominiums continued to account for the largest portion with 43%, followed by single-family buildings with 39.3% and functionally independent units within condominiums with 17.8%.

“The estimated 3 billion euro record saving is obviously affected by the strong surge in energy prices showing at the same time how energy efficiency has become increasingly important in our country. Achieving the objectives set out in the new European Directive, which embraces the principle of “energy efficiency first”, also involves active participation of citizens, companies and professionals. As National Agency for Energy Efficiency we are at the forefront in this field, also through youth training and information activities conducive to green jobs, drivers of the energy transition", explained Ilaria Bertini, Head of the ENEA Energy Efficiency Department.