Refinery crisis in Italy: the sector faces a historic transformation
The Italian energy landscape is undergoing a profound change. Over the last thirty years, the number of active oil refineries in the country has halved, marking a structural crisis that reflects the new challenges of the ecological transition and energy consumption.
Currently, only ten traditional refineries are operational in Italy. Total refining capacity has decreased by 17% compared to past decades, standing today at approximately 83.3 million tons. This figure highlights how the industrial system is progressively reducing its dependence on classic fossil fuels.
Despite the reduction in the number of plants, production remains significant, with approximately 63.7 million tons of refined products manufactured each year. However, the sector must contend with high operating costs and the need to convert old facilities into hubs for renewable energy or biofuel production.
The future of the sector remains at the center of the national economic debate. Energy companies are called upon to balance the need to guarantee the security of supply for the country with the European goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
In conclusion, the closure of many historic plants does not represent just the end of an industrial era, but the beginning of a phase of reconversion. Italy is facing the challenge of transforming its infrastructure to meet the needs of an energy market increasingly oriented toward sustainability.