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Italy Legislative Decree 28/2011 (Renewable Energy – RED I Transposition)

Italy Legislative Decree 28/2011 (Renewable Energy – RED I Transposition): Italy Strengthens Renewable Energy Rules Under Legislative Decree 28/2011

Maílis Carrilho
Written by Maílis Carrilho
Updated on December 8th, 2025

Summary

Italy’s Legislative Decree 28/2011 establishes the core framework for promoting renewable energy, including sustainability criteria for biofuels, incentives for renewable electricity, and priority grid access. The decree remains in force alongside later renewable-energy reforms and continues to shape Italy’s clean energy deployment.

Details

Jurisdictions
  • Italy
Exemptions

The decree imposes binding obligations for energy suppliers, biofuel producers, grid operators and renewable developers.

These include:

Compliance with sustainability criteria for biofuels.

Priority dispatch rules for renewable electricity.

Certification and documentation for renewable energy installations.

Obligations for energy distributors to integrate renewables into the mix.

Exceptions:

Small-scale renewable installations may benefit from simplified procedures or exemptions from certain authorisations.

Specific legacy plants may fall under grandfathering rules.

Deep dive

1 min read
Published Dec 8, 2025

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What’s Required

The decree transposes the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED I) and establishes measures to promote renewable energy in Italy. It covers electricity, heating/cooling, and transport.

Key obligations include:

  • National targets for renewable energy consumption.

  • Incentive frameworks for renewable electricity generation.

  • Technical requirements for renewable heat, district heating, and high-efficiency cogeneration.

  • Sustainability criteria for biofuels and bioliquids.

  • Grid-access rules prioritising renewables.

Important Deadlines

  • The decree has been applied since 2011, with continuous updates.

  • Renewable-share milestones align with EU targets (2020 targets closed; progress toward 2030 targets continues).

Current Status

  • The decree remains foundational but has been progressively updated by subsequent laws, including Legislative Decree 199/2021 (RED II).

  • Still actively referenced, especially for biofuel sustainability and grid rules.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

  • Fines for breaching biofuel sustainability criteria or reporting obligations.

  • Penalties for grid operators failing to respect renewable access rules.

  • Revocation of incentives in cases of fraud or non-compliance.

Examples of Known Violations

  • Cases involving fraudulent sustainability certificates for biofuels.

  • Enforcement actions for misuse of renewable energy incentives.

Resources


Maílis Carrilho
Added by:
Maílis Carrilho
Sustainability Research Analyst
Maílis Carrilho is a Sustainability Research Analyst (Intern) at Net Zero Compare, contributing research and analysis on climate tech, carbon policies, and sustainable solutions. She supports the team in developing fact-based content and insights to help companies and readers navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.
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Added on Dec 8, 2025 by Maílis Carrilho ·