Coldiretti, Terna and ANBI in common strategy to optimise irrigation resources and energy efficiency

Agreement signed outlining a common strategy to optimise irrigation resources and energy efficiency

ROME, 26-Dec-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — An important Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by Roberto Moncalvo, President of Coldiretti, Luigi Ferraris, CEO and General Manager of Terna and Francesco Vincenzi, President of ANBI (Italian Association of Land Reclamation and Irrigation Consortia). The document outlines that the parties will undertake to work up an action strategy to evaluate possible initiatives of mutual interest aimed at optimising irrigation resources, energy efficiency and protection of the land.

The main areas of collaboration defined by the Memorandum concern, on the one hand, the design of a strategy aimed at maximising the benefits of using water resources through multi-purpose management. The Memorandum also envisages the signing parties’ commitment to identifying ways to optimise use and efficiency of water networks and reservoirs for drinking water, irrigation and energy generation.

ANBI is engaged in evaluating the opportunities related to hydroelectric use of water resources, using them in conjunction with the priority demands of agriculture and environmental sustainability.

The first thing that ANBI and Terna will do, therefore, will be to establish an ad hoc work group — formed with respective representatives — to identify possible ways of managing of water resources that allow for hydroelectric use of existing plants that need to be adapted or modernised to guarantee better efficiency. Later in the process, ANBI and Terna will evaluate the implementation of possible initiatives aimed at activating sufficient hydroelectric energy production to allow the Land Reclamation Consortia to be energetically independent.

In line with its own institutional mission to develop a more efficient use of natural resources, combat the effects of climate change and promote multi-use of water with an eye to energy efficiency, Coldiretti is committed to collaborating with all actions undertaken by the various institutional players to ensure that they respect the principles of environmental sustainability, thus preserving Italian rural heritage and the biodiversity of the land.

Luigi Ferraris, Terna CEO and General Manager, made the following statement: – “For Terna, which places sustainability at the centre of its investment strategy, collaboration with ANBI and Coldiretti represents a fantastic opportunity to further contribute to the ongoing energy transition. Indeed, the union of the water and energy sectors will give life to new synergy, and benefit both electricity users and territories, with new projects which will create value for the whole country”.

“The agreement signed by ANBI, Coldiretti and Terna” – commented Francesco Vincenzi, President of ANBI – “confirms the role that the Land Reclamation Consortia and agriculture in general can play in this modern age. The agreement reached will open up new opportunities for sustainable energy and the optimisation of the use of water resources, all in the interests of environmental protection and the primary sector economy. The future can only be born of common objectives between diverse parties, who all share the determination to attribute value to the land and its green resources”.

“Over the last 10 years in Italy” – explained Roberto Moncalvo, President of Coldiretti – “climate change has caused more than € 14 billion worth of damage, and the situation doesn’t appear to be improving, since we are facing conditions that are getting more and more extreme, with sudden, unexpected floods that occur after several months of drought. Even if we consider the fact that 2017 was Italy’s driest year since 1800, with 30% less rainfall than on average, the dramatic images from this year of the flooding rivers in Emilia Romagna are still imprinted in our minds. Faced with this situation, it is imperative to bring every possible strategy to the table, to rationalise water management and make it more efficient, from both an irrigation and an energy point of view. We have to develop a system that can always meet the needs of our communities and, at the same time, help reduce the impact of climate change on our land and on our lives”.

SOURCE: TERNA S.p.A.

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