Introduction

At a time when the Italian energy system is called upon to rapidly evolve toward more sustainable models, Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) and Collective Self-Consumption (CSC) are emerging as strategic tools—especially for companies with high energy consumption. The objective is clear: reduce costs, increase efficiency, and actively contribute to the ecological transition.

The drive toward these solutions is supported not only by economic and environmental needs, but also by a series of public incentives. The Italian Energy Services Operator (GSE) has activated support mechanisms to promote the adoption of these models, rewarding those who choose to invest in renewable energy production and sharing.

Renewable energy production allows citizens, businesses, and communities to become prosumers—producers and consumers at the same time. This participatory approach strengthens the link between energy and local development, fostering the creation of energy communities based on sharing.

Incentives and the Role of Energy-Intensive Companies

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) strongly supports this transition, with the goal of achieving 5 GW of new renewable capacity by 2026. The figures are clear: at least 15,000 active communities, 2,000 MW installed, and 2,500 GWh produced per year. The operating rules governing access to incentives—defined by the CACER Decree and TIAD regulation—have been in effect since December 2023.

In this context, energy-intensive companies—those with particularly high energy consumption—can play an active and differentiated role within RECs. They can promote the creation of the community, provide photovoltaic systems or areas for their installation, and even manage the community operationally through Energy Service Companies (ESCo)—entities specialized in energy services.

The Synergy Between Digital and Shared Energy

The success of energy communities also depends on digitalization. Advanced IT solutions enable real-time monitoring of energy flows, optimize energy distribution using machine learning, and ensure transparency in the allocation of benefits among community members.

In this scenario, ESCOs play a key role in facilitating technology adoption and the operational management of systems. Their technical and administrative expertise enables companies to take part in the energy transition without facing the regulatory and planning complexity alone.

Industrial Sectors Involved and Tangible Benefits

Many industrial sectors can benefit from participating in RECs. Companies in the water sector, for example, can make pumping operations more efficient; in steelmaking and manufacturing, exposure to energy price volatility can be reduced. The transportation sector benefits from the possibility of powering electric fleets with self-produced energy, while data centers can reduce the environmental impact of digital infrastructure.

The benefits for energy-intensive companies are concrete and measurable:

• reduction of energy costs through self-production,

• access to GSE incentives,

• greater energy stability through storage systems,

• alignment with environmental sustainability goals increasingly demanded by stakeholders and regulators.

Conclusion

Renewable Energy Communities and Collective Self-Consumption now represent a concrete response to the needs for competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of Italian companies—especially those with high energy intensity. With the support of public incentives, the integration of digital technologies, and the expertise of ESCOs, it is possible to build energy-sharing models that bring tangible economic and environmental benefits. Now is the time to invest in this change and take a leading role in the country's energy transition.

Neta’s Energy Community is Engineering’s solution to create and manage Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) in a complete and efficient way. It covers all phases of the community lifecycle: promotion, engagement, design, technical and commercial management, and energy monitoring. The platform is modular, scalable, and integrable with metering systems, billing, CRM, and portals. It automates processes, enhances shared energy, and ensures regulatory compliance.