Three MEPs have asked the European Commission whether Italy's rules governing incentives for renewable energy communities (RECs) violate the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). In a parliamentary question dated 29 June 2026, Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Valentina Palmisano (The Left) and Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE) argue that a policy by Italy's energy agency GSE discriminates against certain facilities and creates administrative barriers.
The question targets a 2024 decree by Italy's Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) that sets the national incentive scheme for RECs. Under the decree, facilities that were completed and operational before an REC's formal establishment can join the REC and receive state incentives — but only if they applied for those incentives before 22 June 2024. The MEPs contend that this deadline excludes facilities that missed the cut-off, effectively denying them access to incentives.
They ask the Commission whether this policy runs counter to the principles of transparency and non-discrimination enshrined in Articles 21(6)(e) and 22(4)(i) of RED II. They also ask whether the Commission agrees that fostering REC growth — a goal of the EU's Citizens Energy Package — requires removing all administrative barriers hampering the process.
The question does not set numerical targets or deadlines, but it signals the MEPs' concern that Italy's implementation may be undermining the directive's intent. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will indicate whether it sees a conflict with EU law and whether it plans to take action.
If the Commission sides with the MEPs, Italy may have to revise its rules, potentially expanding incentive eligibility to more facilities — benefiting REC developers and facility owners but increasing costs for the Italian state and taxpayers. Conversely, if the Commission defends the current rules, it could reinforce the 22 June deadline, limiting participation for late applicants but providing regulatory certainty for GSE and existing REC members.