Autostrade per l'Italia, Eni and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti today signed an agreement to develop joint initiatives for the energy transition of their businesses.
The scope of the collaboration is that of sustainable mobility, in particular aimed at decarbonising the Italian motorway network. The agreement includes the development of new energy carriers for both heavy vehicles and cars, starting with biofuels from sustainable raw materials that do not compete with the food supply chain, hydrogen, biomethane and recharging points for electric cars. The agreement also provides for the construction of renewable energy production plants through the installation of photovoltaic parks in the Autostrade per l'Italia areas or near the motorway network, also through dedicated company vehicles.
The refueling areas will host an increasing number of columns for 100% electric recharging as well as the new decarbonised vectors (including, for example, electricity, biomethane and hydrogen) starting with Eni biofuels, which will be available also in purity from January 2023. Furthermore, near the areas of Autostrade per l'Italia or the motorway network, where plants for the production of energy from renewable sources will be built, it will be possible to set up energy communities, encouraging the creation of self-consumption initiatives collective.
Among the areas of interest of the partnership, also the definition of programs for the development of sustainable products for the improvement of the pavement of the motorways, and the launch of circular economy initiatives, starting with the collection of used tires that can be regenerated into products sustainable energy and chemicals, including the road surface.
The Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of CDP, Dario Scannapieco, underlined: "Energy transition and the circular economy are two of the 10 fields of intervention that CDP has identified in the 2022-2024 Strategic Plan as priority areas, in line with market gaps identified, with the objectives of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and with the missions of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Cassa's will is to support interventions and projects, also in partnership with qualified industrial operators, such as in this case Autostrade per l'Italia and Eni, aimed at combating climate change and promoting sustainable development, while ensuring a significant impact socio-economic for the country".
"In a context that sees sustainability as an absolute and no longer postponeable priority - added the CEO of Autostrade per l'Italia Roberto Tomasi - it is a fact that the motorway network and road transport continue to be a factor essential for development, driving force for the national economy. This is why Autostrade per l'Italia continues its commitment to research and training with conviction in the name of transition and, from this point of view, the difference can be played by the network of consolidated synergies between the major Italian players, an indispensable factor for achieving large-scale systemic projects. The alliance between Eni, CDP and Aspi is an alliance that will be able to make a difference, in the name of increasingly green mobility, looking to the future of the new generations, in the right balance between respect for the environment and growth of the country".
“An effective energy transition path requires not only a long-term vision and new technologies, but also teamwork with the major Italian players. From this point of view, the union of intents with Autostrade per l'Italia and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti is particularly important – said Giuseppe Ricci, Eni's Director of Energy Evolution. Today we are bringing together various solutions for the decarbonisation of long-distance transport, including for heavy vehicles, enhancing their effectiveness thanks to the infrastructural strength of Autostrade and the solidity and economic-financial experience of CDP".
This agreement may be the subject of subsequent binding agreements, which the parties will define in compliance with the applicable legislation, including that relating to transactions between related parties.