(Finance) – Extension and modernization of electricity distribution infrastructures in Lombardy to contribute to achieving national and European decarbonisation targets through the electrification of consumption. This is the objective of loan of 200 million euros that the EIB granted to A2A, in line with the REPowerEU, which wants to respond to the growing energy demand while promoting the spread of renewables, the diversification and security of energy supplies.
Planned activities include renewal and expansion of A2A’s electricity networks in order to offer users an increasingly efficient service and to allow the connection of new users – estimated at over 40,000 by 2027 – strategic for the electrification process of consumption and for a growing use of green energy produced from renewable sources that the Group wants to encourage.
The plan of A2A interventions linked to the financing in fact, it includes the strengthening of its medium voltage network with over 200km of new lines and the reconstruction of 247km of existing network, in addition to approximately 86km of new low voltage lines and the replacement of 152km of existing low voltage network. The Group also plans to build a new primary electrical station and 286 new secondary substations, the renovation and expansion of 12 primary substations already in operation and various modernization interventions on 423 active secondary substations.
This operation underlines thecommitment of the EIB in promoting the Italian objectives defined in the National Integrated Plan for Energy and Climate and those of REPowerEU, which the EIB has committed to supporting with additional financing for an amount equal to euro 45 billion between 2022 and 2027. For A2A, the activities linked to the financing are in line with the strategy defined by the Industrial Plan and contribute to the Group’s objective to concretely support the country’s energy transition and decarbonisation.
“This initiative – he states Gilles Badot, director for EIB operations in Italy – testifies to the EIB’s commitment as the EU climate bank to promoting the objectives of REPowerEU and European energy security. Thanks to this operation with A2A, we aim to support sustainable growth, reduce emissions and promote a cutting-edge energy network in Italy.”
“With this operation, A2A will finance an investment program relating to the extension and modernization of electricity distribution infrastructures – commented Luca Moroni, CFO of A2A –. This is an initiative that further demonstrates the Group’s commitment to contributing to the sustainable development of the territories in which it operates and to realizing its strategy in the field of energy transition.”