[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”3\/4″][st_customheading margin_bottom=”December, 25th 2018″ content_align=”text-default”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
On 20 February 2026, Decree-Law No. 21 (the Decree<\/strong>) was published in the Italian Official Gazette. It introduces urgent energy-related measures and, importantly, a new regulatory framework for the development of data centres in Italy. Article 8 establishes a single national authorisation procedure (procedimento unico nazionale<\/em>), intended to streamline and expedite the construction, expansion and grid connection of data centres.<\/p>\n Under this framework, applicants benefit from a single point of contact for all required approvals. By consolidating authorisations and accelerating decision-making, the regime is designed to reduce administrative complexity and shorten project delivery timelines. The reform also signals the Italian Government\u2019s intention to strengthen Italy\u2019s digital infrastructure and energy security, positioning the country as an increasingly attractive location for hyperscale and enterprise data centre investment.<\/p>\n For international investors, the unified procedure may offer a single point of contact and a consolidated permitting route that reduces administrative burden, alongside binding maximum time limits of ten months (extendable to thirteen months) that enhance predictability, a materially faster environmental review process through halved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA<\/strong>) timelines, and a clearer allocation of competence between regional authorities and the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE<\/strong>) that helps reduce jurisdictional uncertainty; however, the Decree must still be converted into law by 21 April 2026, during which amendments may be introduced.<\/p>\n Features of the new authorisation framework<\/strong><\/p>\n Single authorisation procedure<\/strong><\/p>\n The Decree merges multiple permits and approvals into one authorisation, issued by the authority competent for Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC<\/strong>) under Legislative Decree No. 152\/2006 (the Italian Environmental Code). The authorisation covers both:<\/p>\n Competent authority<\/strong><\/p>\n Competence is allocated by reference to nominal thermal capacity:<\/p>\n Authorisation functions cannot be delegated to sub-provincial bodies.<\/p>\n Consolidated permits<\/strong><\/p>\n The single authorisation incorporates the main environmental and administrative approvals, including:<\/p>\n Accelerated timelines<\/strong><\/p>\n Ten-month maximum duration<\/strong><\/p>\n The unified procedure must be completed within ten months from the verification that the application dossier is complete. An extension of up to three months is permitted only in exceptional cases linked to the project\u2019s nature, complexity, location or scope.<\/p>\n Shortened EIA timeframes<\/strong><\/p>\n EIA timelines under the unified procedure are halved compared with ordinary statutory deadlines.<\/p>\n EIA screening: mandatory 90-day deadline<\/strong><\/p>\n Where a project undergoes screening to determine whether an EIA is required, and the outcome is that a full EIA is necessary, the EIA application must be filed within 90 days. Failure to meet this deadline results in the automatic withdrawal of the authorisation application (without prejudice to the possibility of resubmitting and restarting the process).<\/p>\n Projects of strategic national interest<\/strong><\/p>\n Data centre projects declared to be of strategic national interest under Article 13 of Decree-Law 104\/2023 (converted by Law 136\/2023) will be authorised by a special commissioner through expedited procedures. This regime is aimed at enabling foreign investment programmes in Italy with an overall value of at least EUR 1 billion, including via the appointment of special commissioners. The commissioner is appointed by decree of the President of the Council of Ministers, in agreement with the President of the relevant Region, to ensure coordination and timely implementation.<\/p>\n Transitional provisions<\/strong><\/p>\n For projects that had already obtained the required permits (including environmental approvals) before the Decree entered into force, and that require authorisation for user connection works at voltages exceeding 220 kV, the competent authority is the region(s) territorially affected.<\/p>\n Where the works extend across more than one region, competence lies with the region in which the largest portion of the works will be carried out.<\/p>\n Implications for regional legislation<\/strong><\/p>\n By creating a single national procedure, the Decree centralises authorisation competence. Regions will no longer be able to introduce parallel or alternative authorisation pathways, or to unilaterally redefine the authority responsible for environmental permits. That said, regional authorities retain significant roles in territorial governance, urban planning, energy planning, localisation criteria and compensatory measures, and they will participate in the services conference (conferenza di servizi<\/em>) convened under Law 241\/1990.<\/p>\n Entry into force and parliamentary conversion<\/strong><\/p>\n The Decree entered into force on 21 February 2026 and must be converted into law by Parliament within 60 days.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_wp_custommenu nav_menu=”24″][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_wp_custommenu nav_menu=”26″][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_wp_custommenu nav_menu=”30″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”3\/4″][st_customheading margin_bottom=”December, 25th 2018″ content_align=”text-default”][vc_column_text] On 20 February 2026, Decree-Law No. 21 (the Decree) was published in the Italian Official Gazette. It introduces urgent energy-related measures and, importantly, a new regulatory framework for the development of data centres in Italy. Article 8 establishes a single national authorisation procedure (procedimento unico nazionale), intended to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-novita"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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