The next step will be to drill an experimental geothermal well on the seabed off the coast of Panarea, with which there are plans to extract energy for the power supply of the island. There is also a plan of putting up a mini desalination plant which will be funded under the “Green Islands” measure of Italy’s Recover and Resilience Facility (PNRR).
The Ministry of Environment and Energy Security is currently in the process of verifying the possibility of reusing part of this measure to fund the experimental geothermal well, for which funding of EUR 200,000 is being sought.
During the Green Energy Days, the idea was also discussed to establish a “living lab” and “energy center” to provide technical assistance to local professionals and business, and to train young people, to carry out pilot projects for energy efficiency. At the same event, the INGV provided updates on the ongoing project to map geothermal sources present in the Aeolian Islands.
The sentiment for geothermal development in Italy is now very positive following the recent approval of the European Commission for an aid scheme that promotes the construction of power generation plants from renewable sources that are not fully mature or with high operating costs, including geothermal.
