Italy is looking to push back a deadline for the phase-out of coal-fired power plants to 2038 from an original date of 2025, according to legislation before parliament.
The measure is one of a series of amendments to a government decree designed to lower energy bills for consumers and businesses. The decree was approved by the government earlier this year and must be converted into law by 21 April.
"It will be possible to keep these plants operational as a strategic reserve," Riccardo Molinari said, a top official of the governing coalition Lega party that championed the amendment.
Italy originally pledged to phase out coal-fired generation by the end of 2025 as part of EU climate commitments. But the government wants to keep some coal plants on standby beyond 2025 in case of emergencies.
Rome is looking to have the plants classified as strategic assets to secure exemption from state-aid rules and pay the utilities the costs of keeping the plants idling. It currently has coal capacity of around 4.65GW, including Enel's two large plants in Civitavecchia and Brindisi.
Energy minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin has previously indicated that Civitavecchia and Brindisi could be reactivated if gas prices consistently exceed €70/MWh.
The government has called a vote of confidence on the package in the lower house tomorrow. It will then go before the Senate.
