Italy received applications for nearly 12 GW, as the registration period closed for the first competitive procedures under the FER-X Transitory Ministerial Decree. The process now moves exclusively to photovoltaic and wind projects, reflecting strong interest in renewable energy. 

Managed by state-owned energy service system operator Gestore Servizi Energetici (GSE), this is the maiden auction under the country’s Transitional FER-X Decree for renewable energy, which will select projects via a competitive solicitation process. Projects will be selected for contracts for difference (CfD) mechanism. 

In response to the registration round, the GSE received 870 requests representing 12 GW of power capacity, including 818 requests for 10.09 GW of solar PV, and 52 requests for 1.67 GW of wind projects. 

Previously, in July 2025, it had received around 1,500 expressions of interest (EOIs) for this round, including close to 1,400 for 17.6 GW solar PV capacity, more than the available quota of 8 GW. For wind energy projects, it had received around 90 EOIs representing a combined capacity of approximately 2.9 GW, higher than the 2.5 GW on offer.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) is happy with the strong interest seen in the inaugural round. Italy’s Environment and Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto said, “With nearly 12 GW of applications, we demonstrate that the country is ready to accelerate the energy transition, strengthening the contribution of photovoltaic and wind power to decarbonization and the security of the national electricity system.”

Despite the high interest, the government will auction 8 GW of solar PV and 2.5 GW of wind power capacity as per the decree. Final rankings will be published by December 11, 2025.

Meanwhile, Italy has also invited interested bidders to submit EOIs to participate in the 2nd EOI round under the decree, for which submissions can be made from September 16, 2025, to September 26, 2025. This special competitive round will award a minimum of 200 MW and a maximum of 1.6 GW of solar PV capacity only for those projects that use non-Chinese solar cells, modules, and other components. It will be held under the provisions of the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA). Details will be available on GSE’s website.