Pnrr-Pniec: acceleration of environmental impact assessments in 2026

In the first 8 months of 2026, the Pnrr-Pniec Commission has further intensified its work on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures. In the period considered, 308 Via opinions were issued, with an increase of over 40% compared to the same period of 2025, for renewable source plant projects that have a power of approximately 19.5 GW and an economic value of investments equal to over 36 billion euros. This is what we read in a note from the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security which explains that "in the same period there were 193 go-ahead decrees issued by Mase, relating to RES projects for almost 10 GW and 10 billion euros of investments, in line with the results achieved in the same period of 2025".

"In total, from 2021 to August 2026, the Pnrr-Pniec technical commission has issued opinions for over 67 GW, relating to projects worth over 82 billion euros of investments. Compared to these opinions, the projects for which the MIC has expressed a concurring opinion and therefore the Mase has been able to complete the phase of issuing the decrees have a power equal to 39 GW and are worth 41 billion euros, while they are still in definition phase at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Culture of projects for a capacity of 24 GW and 33 billion euros of investments. Finally, the projects relating to the residual 4 GW are currently in the final investigation phase by the Mase, for analysis of opinions or checks on the suitability of the area with the Mic".

"The numbers tell us that we have changed pace - declares the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto. "Compared to the last legislature, today we have a system of environmental assessments that is more organised, more digital and above all more capable of transforming administrative work into concrete results. It is not an obvious result: behind these numbers there is the work of the Commissions, the General Management and all the structures of the Ministry".

The acceleration also concerns the work of the VIA-SEA Commission, called to express the environmental assessment opinion on strategic infrastructure projects for the development of the country, including those necessary to ensure the energy transition.

In the period January-August 2026, the EIA-VAS Commission issued approximately 380 opinions, including environmental impact assessments, compliance checks and procedures for subjecting the works to EIA, for a value of the works of approximately 27 billion euros, recording an increase of 40% compared to the same period in 2025.

In total, from 2021 to August 2026, the EIA-VAS Commission issued EIA opinions and Verification of eligibility for EIA for an economic value of the works amounting to over 123 billion euros.

An acceleration according to the Minister, which "does not mean reducing protections, but making the way in which the State exercises its responsibilities more efficient. Our goal is to bring together the environment, quality of assessments and certainty of times. A country that wants to grow and create energy, industrial and strategic infrastructures must be able to decide. And it must do so with clear rules, certain times and full respect for the environment."