PresaDiretta starts with energy: renewables, fossil fuels, and electric mobility
Gas, oil, renewables, utility bills, and electric mobility: the new season of PresaDiretta kicks off with an investigation into the choices shaping Italy’s energy future. The episode “Governed by Fossil Fuels” will air on Sunday, September 13, at 8:30 PM on Rai 3, following a PresaDiretta Open special focused on the hydrogeological crisis and the impacts of extreme weather events in Calabria.
Riccardo Iacona and Maria Cristina De Ritis’ investigation compares two possible paths for Italy’s energy system: on one hand, continued reliance on fossil fuels; on the other, growth in renewables and electric technologies. This comparison directly affects families and businesses struggling with energy costs and a transition progressing at varying speeds.
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Four years after the war, gas remains central
Four years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Italy has reduced its dependence on Russian gas but not its overall reliance on gas. The suppliers and supply routes have changed, while the country continues to use infrastructure dedicated to natural gas and has also reactivated old permits for domestic extraction.
The program will take cameras to the Po Delta, where one of Italy’s main gas regasification plants is located, and will follow the consequences of energy choices on supply costs. The investigation also focuses on companies in the Sassuolo ceramics district, which are particularly vulnerable to energy prices.
Renewables: From repowering to stalled projects
The other side of this story concerns renewable energy sources. In Sicily, PresaDiretta will show the effects of repowering wind turbines: by replacing old turbines with more efficient ones, it is possible to significantly increase production without a proportional increase in land use.
The issue of approvals remains unresolved. According to data cited in the program, there are over 1,200 renewable energy projects stalled in various ministries. This is particularly significant for a country that must simultaneously reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and control energy costs.
Excess Profits and Oil: Who Pays the Price
The investigation will then focus on large fossil fuel industry groups and the excess profits from oil and gas. The program will also address the impact of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz on fuel prices, while the world’s top 100 oil companies could generate up to $234 billion in excess profits.
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The journey will also cover the petrochemical hubs of Priolo, Augusta, Melilli, and Syracuse, facing issues such as environmental problems, incomplete cleanup efforts, and health consequences, before reaching the Niger Delta, where decades of extraction have left a severe environmental legacy.
Electric cars, robotaxis, and trucks: the transition is already here
This episode also covers the electric revolution in transportation, showcased through next-generation electric cars like those from the Chinese company BYD, which can recharge in less than 10 minutes, as well as robotaxis and electric trucks. These technologies demonstrate that the transition involves not only energy production but also how energy is used in transportation.
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The segment will conclude with the Electrolux case, highlighting concerns over cuts to production and jobs in Italy.
Before “Governati dal fossile,” PresaDiretta Open will address the hydrogeological crisis in Calabria, covering floods, landslides, storm surges, and unfinished prevention measures. The Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin will be a live guest to discuss energy and prevention issues.
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