Some simple facts on Italy's energy resources: the magnitude of the problem (1)

Stimulated by the lack of infos and the comments on the previous post, I think it is useful to understand where all this started. I believe Italy is emblematic of the Western situation, since it is quite embarrassing.

Electricity supplied in Italy in 2005 was 330 billion kWh, giving per capita consumption of 5640 kWh/yr.

In 2006 local production from 81 GWe of plant was 315 billion kWh gross, 49% from gas, 15% from oil, 16% from coal and 14% from hydro. Imports of 50.3 billion kWh (effectively, some 15% of its needs) are required, mostly nuclear power from France( More than half comes immediately from Switzerland - 26 TWh in 2005, which imports much of it - 29 TWh in 2006, from France and Germany). This is equivalent to output from about 7 GWe of capacity at 80%.


ENEL (originally Italian Electricity Generation Board) is responsible for electricity production and transmission. In 1992 it became ENEL SpA, a joint stock company, and in 1999 40% of its shares went public. Also generating subsidiaries were formed and sold off with the aim of limiting ENEL's share of the market to 50%. Due to the high reliance on oil and gas, as well as imports, Italy's electricity prices are 45% above EU average.

Italy today is now the only G8 country without its own nuclear power, and is the world's largest net importer of electricity.