Italian lithium energy storage power supply procurement

There are stark differences in energy storage requirements across Italy and MACSE procurement targets will adapt to these zonal needs. Most of the new utility-scale storage capacity catalyzed by MACSE will be needed in Southern Italy and the islands, with 16.8 GWh in the South, 13.6 GWh in Sicily, and 10.4 GWh in Sardinia.

Sphera Energy applauds the announcement on the 21st December of the approval by the EU Commissione for the upcoming state support and acutions mechanism (managed by TSO Terna) for the deployment of 71 GWh of utility scale Energy Storage in Italy between now and 2033.

The Electricity Storage Capacity Procurement Mechanism (in Italian “Meccanismo di Approvvigionamento di Capacità di Stoccaggio Elettrico”: MACSE) is a regulatory initiative aimed at fostering the growth of electricity storage capacity in Italy.

Namely, according to the updated scenario developed by gas company Scam and power grid operator Terna, Italy will need 72 GWh of storage capacity by 2030 to meet the EU's “Fit for 55” package goals. Around 50 GWh of this capacity will be allocated to new utility-scale systems supported by MACSE to complement the growing penetration of renewables.

Italy is stepping into a new energy era with the MACSE auction in early 2025. Underpinning MACSE, or Meccanismo di Assegnazione Centralizzata per la Sostenibilità Energetica, is an ambitious plan to boost renewable energy integration and support up to 50GWh of energy storage by 2030 – a move to ensure Italy's energy security and sustainability.

In the broader EU landscape, where there's a collective push for 42.5% renewables in energy consumption by 2030, Italy's focus on advanced storage tech sets them apart from EU neighbours still heavily invested in traditional grid upgrades.