ITALIAN UTILITIES LENDING ENVELOPE

The operation will finance utilities in Italy under a Lending Envelope. Sectors include waterworks (water and wastewater), electricity distribution, district heating, energy efficiency measures (including public lighting), renewable energy generation and waste collection/ treatment facilities.

The aim is to address the investment needs of small and medium-large sized utilities operating in the water, energy and solid waste sector, throughout Italy. In particular, the following investments are expected to be financed under the Lending Envelope: (i) electricity and water distribution networks; (ii) wastewater collection and wastewater treatment schemes; (iii) waste collection, recycling, treatment and disposal facilities; (iv) energy generation plants; and, (v) energy efficiency measures.

The investments in water, wastewater and waste are expected to have net positive environmental, considering their focus on compliance with amongst others the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC, the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and the EU Circular Economy Package 2015, and their contribution to resource efficiency from recycling. Where and if applicable, the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2014/52/EU amending the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU, the Habitats and Birds Directives (92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC, respectively) will be verified and the EIB will publish the EIAs on its website. The energy efficiency sub-projects will be implemented in compliance with the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2024/1275/EU, amending 2010/31/EU. The sub-projects will reduce the energy consumption of buildings and the associated pollutant emission.

The promoter has to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the sub-operations will be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (Directive 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU, where applicable as well as Directive 92/13/EEC and 89/665/EEC) as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where required. Information on awarded main suppliers/contractors for the implementation of the envisaged operation is not available.