
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, speaking in the Senate ahead of the European Council, defined the cost of energy as the main burden for the economy and competitiveness, calling for a rapid and coordinated response.
AI-generated summary
The Italian government intervenes in Parliament in view of the European summit to define the negotiating line.
"The issue that weighs most heavily on our economy today" and on the competitiveness of businesses is the cost of energy" and "no one can respond effectively alone" which is why "a coordinated and rapid response" is needed.
Thus the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in communications to the Senate in view of the European Council, underlining that the rules "cannot worsen the crisis".

Following a Russian attack on the energy sector, Kiev and several Ukrainian regions, including Kharkiv and Zaporizhia, remained without electricity this morning, Ukrenergo reported.

The Senate examines the fuel bill on Wednesday with two key amendments: one allows renewable plants in the buffer zones of UNESCO sites if on suitable land, the other extends the powers of the commissioner ad acta for proceedings on hydrocarbons, overcoming regional inertia.

The Irena 2026 report highlights that the growth of renewables risks being in vain without an urgent strengthening of electricity networks, storage systems and energy efficiency, necessary to truly replace fossil fuels.

The Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security is evaluating the extension of the gradual protection service for electricity from 31 March to 31 December 2027, to give non-vulnerable customers more time to consciously choose a supplier on the free market, avoiding the automatic switch to the cheapest offer.

Cuba has introduced a new decree-law and regulation to facilitate foreign investment in the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas, repealing the laws of 1938 and 1959. The legislation provides for shared production contracts of up to 40 years, concessions of up to 30 years and service contracts, maintaining the State as owner of the deposits and with priority on the purchase of oil for national energy security.

The Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security is evaluating the extension until 31 December 2027 of the current conditions of the Gradual Protection Service, expiring on 31 March 2027, for micro-enterprises, SMEs and domestic customers, in light of the international instability of energy prices. Among the hypotheses, the continuity of the application of the current commercial conditions or the supplier's best offer from 1 April to 31 December 2027 in the absence of choice on the free market, to encourage informed choice and greater active participation of consumers.