Luca Bragoli at Key Energy: Repowering and Grid Infrastructure to Accelerate the Energy Transition

“Accelerating the energy transition means not only setting ambitious targets, but also ensuring that the system can fully leverage existing assets and infrastructures.”

Luca Bragoli, Chief Regulatory & Public Affairs Officer, took part in the panel “A steering room to accelerate the energy transition” at Key Energy, bringing the industry perspective on the role of grid connections and repowering in the development of renewables.

Why is grid infrastructure central to the transition?

As installed renewable capacity grows, the availability of grid infrastructure is becoming one of the main enabling factors of the energy transition.

In Italy, connection requests submitted to Terna for new renewable plants have reached around 326 GW, highlighting both the strong momentum of the sector and the challenges related to managing grid capacity.

In this context, the debate focused on the issue of so-called virtual grid saturation and the need to identify regulatory, digital and infrastructural solutions capable of accelerating the integration of new renewable capacity.

What role does repowering play in renewable development?

Within this scenario, repowering represents a strategic lever to enhance existing sites that are already connected to the grid.

Technological renewal of wind farms can significantly improve asset performance: in many cases installed capacity can double, energy production can triple, and the number of turbines can be halved, without additional land use.

According to BNEF estimates, in the next decade the installed wind capacity older than twenty years will grow from today’s 53 GW to about 428 GW, making the renewal of the existing fleet one of the most effective tools to increase the efficiency of the electricity system and support the energy transition.

What conditions are needed to unlock repowering?

For repowering to fully express its potential, a regulatory framework is needed that recognizes its specificities and facilitates its development through clearer procedures and mechanisms that value the contribution these projects can bring to the security, efficiency and sustainability of the electricity system.

ERG’s role in repowering development

ERG has been among the pioneers of these initiatives, recognizing early on the industrial and systemic value of repowering.

With 275 MW already in operation and 57 MW under construction, the Group confirms its position among the leading operators in this field, integrating these projects into its development strategy.

ERG will continue to work with institutions, grid operators and industry stakeholders to help accelerate the energy transition by maximizing existing infrastructure and enabling efficient and sustainable renewable growth.