Italy Opens CHP, But CCGT Permit Lapses

E.ON said its 13.2-MW combined heat and power (CHP) plant started up October 11 and will help reduce Italian soft drinks manufacturer San Benedetto’s energy costs and emissions. The plant at Scorze near Venice was built, financed and is operated by the German utility and will reduce energy costs by 15% and cut CO₂ emissions by 17,300 metric tons/yr. E.ON signed a long-term contract to supply San Benedetto with power, heat and cooling water.

Logo credit: Acqua Minerale San Benedetto

In contrast, Italy’s economic development ministry last week rejected a request dating from August 10 this year by developer West Energy for more time until the end of 2017 to start building an 800-MW combined cycle gas-fired power plant (CCGT) at Loreo, near Rovigo, in the northeast province of Veneto. The company was first cleared to start work at the site six years ago and so its 2010 consent has now lapsed. West Energy is a subsidiary of Italian supplier Energetic Source, which together with Swiss utility Alpiq jointly owns a working 400-MW CCGT near Foggia.

Mark Smedley