EU Commission approves Energy Release 2.0

​​​​​​​​published on 03 July 2025 | reading time approx. 3 minutes​

The European Commission approved the “Energy Release 2.0" measure to support large electricity consumers, confirming its compatibility with the rules of the internal market and the European State Aid Guidelines.

In a statement released on Friday, 27 June 2025, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) highlighted the strategic importance of a new measure designed to support large electricity consumers. The initiative aims to provide more stable energy prices in exchange for a commitment to sourcing new renewable energy.

The measure is structured in two phases. The first phase provides support by supplying electricity at a capped price of euro 65 per MWh. In the second one, beneficiaries are required—either directly or through third parties—to fully repay the benefit received by building or financing new renewable energy capacity.

What does Energy Release 2.0 entail?

In short, Energy Release 2.0 is a mechanism designed to promote the development of new renewable electricity generation capacity by energy-intensive end users. Targeted at entities listed in the official register of energy-intensive businesses, the measure includes an initial 36-month advance period during which the Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE) supplies energy to these businesses. In return, recipients commit to building renewable energy plants that will repay the energy received over the following 20 years.

The new generation capacity can be achieved through the construction of new photovoltaic, wind, or hydroelectric plants with a minimum capacity of 200 kW each, or through upgrades or refurbishments of existing plants that increase capacity by at least 200 kW.

What will be the effects of the measure?

Energy-intensive companies that have participated in the electricity allocation procedure by submitting an expression of interest via the GSE-Portal will be called upon to construct or to have a third party constructing new plants or to increase the power of existing plants. In most cases, companies will turn to renewable energy operators for the construction or expansion of energy infrastructures, contributing to the RES market. The new renewable energy generation capacity must be commissioned within 40 months from the date the advance contract is signed between the energy-intensive end users—either individually or collectively—and the Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE).

What are the main contracts to be concluded in connection with the energy release?

As a result of the procedure for allocating electricity to energy-intensive end customers, the GSE has entered into (or will enter into) an advance payment contract with each energy-intensive end customer, also collectively. The end customer will also have to sign, or have signed by a third party, a contract for the restitution of the electricity subject to the advance payment, always within 40 months from the date of the signing of the advance payment contract, as well as provide an appropriate guarantee, including through the possible provision of risk-sharing instruments among the energy-intensive end customers concerned.

What benefits can be achieved according to Confindustria?​

According to Confindustria, the Energy Release initiative will enable Italian energy-intensive industries to access electricity at competitive prices for a portion of their consumption—an important advantage in a period marked by high price volatility driven by geopolitical tensions and market uncertainty. Finally, Energy Release 2.0 represents an early step toward decoupling electricity prices from gas costs.​​​​​​​