Venice – Marghera, 10/01/2023
Consolidation of the cut in some excise duties, a 150% super-amortisation for energy efficiency, measures and tools to incentivise energy transitions. These are concrete, practical actions,
some of which can be adopted immediately or in a short time, requested by the Pi.Lo.V.E.R. Unions to the Government and contained in a common document on the subject of “expensive
energy“, sent to stakeholders and decision-makers to dialogue with the various institutional and political levels in the definition of energy policies.
“The situation that the business world is experiencing in light of the significant increases in energy costs is more difficult by day. Even more so is the situation of micro-businesses, small
traders, and those in the trade sector, who are in danger of pulling down their shutters forever,” explains Unioncamere of Veneto President Mario Pozza, promoter of the initiative.
“The price cap is a step forward for energy security and to tackle high energy prices in favour of families and businesses. But it is not enough”.
This is why the Regional Unions of the Chambers of Commerce of Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna, in agreement with the Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations, and other
institutional stakeholders, have come up with a series of concrete proposals to help the consumer-business system counter the huge increase in energy prices in recent months. “We consider it
of little use at this time to discuss who is responsible for this situation, now is the time for proposals and concreteness. Some of these measures can be implemented quickly, especially at the
regional level, with limited financial coverage or simply with more streamlined operational procedures, while others require the intervention of the national and European levels. A proposal that
is as shared as possible will give more weight to the requests of a territory with a strong productive vocation and among the most dynamic in the country”.
Among the requests to the government are, first and foremost, the consolidation of the cut in some excises, the introduction of a 150% super-amortisation for energy efficiency
interventions and for self-production plants from renewable sources, or, alternatively, the activation of a 50% tax credit for companies to encourage the roofing of industrial
buildings with photovoltaic systems, and, in general, measures to incentivise and support renewables and self-production. “The priority indicated by more than half of the companies in Veneto
is the cut in excise on energy” Pozza emphasises.
Alongside the requests to the government, there is also the commitment of the Unions for actions to raise awareness, training, and incentives in technologies and solutions for energy saving,
the constitution of Energy Communities, self-consumption, and the use of renewable sources, “in favour, first and foremost, of companies, but also extendable to citizens and the public
administration” concludes Pozza.
According to a recent survey by the Veneto Unioncamere Study Centre, bills in June-July doubled for gas (+97.8%) and more than doubled for electricity (+132.8%), with higher increases
for the energy-intensive sectors – paper and printing, marble, glass and ceramics, rubber and plastics, and food and beverages – that have maintained very high production levels in 2022. To
react to rising prices, 23% of companies are making investments in photovoltaics, while 18% are targeting energy efficiency measures.
26% of entrepreneurs in Veneto asks for support in business investments for diversification of energy sources and evaluation of economic returns, while 15% would like a stronger alternative
energy sources supply chain.
