Source: Government of Italy (English)
Italy today received the European Commission’s positive assessment for payment of the seventh instalment of its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), worth EUR 18.3 billion, with all required milestones and targets having been successfully met. The recent technical revision of the NRRP combined three objectives, related to measures regarding renewables, batteries and reform of the financial risk associated with renewable energy purchase agreements, into a single milestone, meaning 64 goals were planned and reached for this instalment: 31 milestones and 33 targets.
“With the payment of the seventh instalment, Italy will confirm its leading position in Europe in terms of the progress of its NRRP, with over EUR 140 billion received, corresponding to 72% of the Plan’s total resources and 100% of the planned objectives for the first seven instalments, amounting to 334 milestones and targets, all of which have been achieved fully respecting the timeline set by the Commission. This is also a qualitative record, as we have demonstrated our ability to use the instruments Europe has provided us with in a virtuous way, becoming a model for other Member States.
We should all be proud of the great work we have done so far. Our work is certainly not over; in fact, it must continue with the same determination, for an increasingly modern, productive and competitive nation that is strong and inclusive, aware of and ready for the global challenges of today and tomorrow”, stated President of the Council of Ministers Giorgia Meloni.
The objectives achieved for the seventh instalment include several reforms, such as the competition law, measures to speed up public administration payments, and a review of the ‘universal civil service’.
“Several strategic investments are linked to the seventh instalment – stated the Minister for European Affairs, the NRRP and Cohesion Policy, Tommaso Foti – including the new power interconnection between Sardinia, Corsica and the mainland (SA CO I.3), and the undersea power connection between Sicily, Sardinia and the mainland (Tyrrhenian Link). These infrastructure projects are crucial to implementing electricity transmission grids and strengthening Italy’s energy independence, with the goal of guaranteeing energy for households and businesses at more favourable conditions.
The positive assessment for the payment of this instalment follows submission of the payment request for the eighth instalment, confirming the Italian Plan is in line with Europe’s NRRP roadmap, in full respect of its commitments, priorities and the final deadline of August 2026”.
In addition to investments in energy infrastructure, other significant measures include: expansion of the fleet of zero-emission buses and trains for regional transportation and the strengthening of metropolitan hubs and major national links; the upgrading of many railway stations; cybersecurity measures; the launch of 480 ‘local operational centres’ (‘Centrali Operative Territoriali’, ‘COT’) to improve public health services; investments to better manage water resources; the assignment of 55,000 university study grants to deserving, underprivileged students; 7,200 PhD research scholarships and another 6,000 innovative PhD scholarships dedicated to business.