An energy saving tool: WHITE CERTIFICATES

The White Certificates mechanism was introduced in Italy in 2005 as an energy efficiency incentive and is based on Energy Efficiency Credits (EECs) that are linked to an economic value. These certificates can be obtained as a result of measures that provide certified and measurable energy savings. The system requires binding energy savings for gas and electricity distributors by assigning targets to be achieved each year.

Italian Ministerial Decrees 11/01/2017 and 10/05/2018 have changed how access to the white certificate mechanism is granted, and redefined the obligations for distributors for the 2017–2020 period. These changes have significantly impacted the system, while uncertainty remains concerning the ability to generate sufficient certificates to meet the obligations. The market value of the certificates has been capped, even in conjunction with a shortage of supply, by setting a limit to the community resources invested in the system, as a tariff contribution paid to the obligated operators to cover their costs, a parameter that from 2018 may be up to Euro 250 per certificate. The new decree also envisages the implementation of "behavioural" measures such as adopting efficient reporting and management systems, or methods for analysing individual plant, user, or vehicle consumption data.

In 2019, the value of white certificates for the Hera Group was 392,217 tonnes of oil equivalent (toe), 6% of the national target. 

In 2019, Hera Spa presented the GSE with ten new metered baseline initiatives for energy efficiency, in accordance with the provisions of the new 11 January 2017 Decree. The initiatives submitted are aimed primarily at the Group' s service areas. Among the energy efficiency improvement measures presented as part of the White Certificates mechanism and applicable to Hera Group’s plants, the initiatives to improve the efficiency of district heating systems and on treatment plants are noteworthy.

In particular, it should be noted that Hera has also pursued energy efficiency by working not only on hardware measures, but also on the so-called “behavioural measures”, i.e. by promoting the diffusion of conscious and virtuous attitudes towards the consumption not only of energy, but also of water. Two of the ten initiatives presented to the GSE during 2019 fall within this field of activity. One of these initiatives is the Diario dei consumi (Consumption Report), a free service for Hera customers that seeks to stimulate virtuous behaviour for reducing energy and water consumption. At the end of the first year of the pilot project, we will be able to gauge the savings achieved. The second initiative, instead, promotes energy efficiency at a banking group by raising employee awareness.

• 123 energy efficiency white certificates from projects presented jointly with external companies from 2007 to 2019
• In 2019, Hera also won the "Energy manager of the year" award, assigned by Fire to Claudio Palmieri, in recognition of the work carried out by the entire Group to improve its energy performance and promote a culture of rational energy use.

264 ENERGY EFFICIENCY WHITE CERTIFICATES FROM EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS PRESENTED BY HERA GROUP FROM 2007 TO 2019:
535 THOUSAND TOE SAVED PER YEAR FOR 5 YEARS (EQUAL TO THE ANNUAL ELECTRICITY AND GAS CONSUMPTION OF MORE THAN 339 THOUSAND HOUSEHOLDS)