The deal on the energy bills decree

Italy and the European Commission have reached a shared understanding on the measures in the Dl Bollette, the energy bills decree-law 21/2026, Palazzo Chigi said in a statement on Friday, 16 October. The government described the agreement as the result of intense and constructive exchanges between Commission services and Italian authorities. Its stated aim is to soften the impact of energy costs and to limit how higher gas prices feed into electricity prices for households and businesses, while keeping conditions level in the internal market. The deal was struck in full compliance with the Middle East State Aid Framework and sectoral rules. One English-language report gives the decree as 21/2022, while the Italian reports give 21/2026.

What the Commission will cover

Under the agreement, Italy will notify the temporary measures to the Commission under EU state aid rules, and the Commission will assess them as a priority. A Commission spokesperson said the measure will be temporary and designed to keep distortions in the EU electricity market to a minimum while preserving long-term incentives for clean energy investment. According to the spokesperson, the compensation will cover only the rise in gas costs and will not cover the costs of the ETS system, while the full benefit passes to final consumers. The Commission expects Italy to notify its plans quickly under EU law.

Meloni on flexibility and the emissions market

Speaking to the press in Brussels at the close of the European Council on Friday, Meloni said she was optimistic after a discussion with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about Italy's requests for greater flexibility. She said there is room for more flexibility within existing rules, including for energy investments.

“I believe there is room for greater flexibility within the framework of existing rules, including with regard to investments in energy”

Meloni also said she was pleased that the European Council conclusions include several points Italy and the Czech Republic had raised on the emissions trading system, including references to ETS2 and to an urgent revision of the ETS. She said the measures had been adopted months earlier and needed a Commission green light, and that the deal allows Italy to act on the generation price of electricity and the impact of gas costs.

“I consider this very important and I am very happy with this result.”

Reactions

Antonella Sberna, a vice-president of the European Parliament and a Fratelli d'Italia (ECR) MEP, called the agreement a success for Italy and said it shows that energy costs can be contained within the internal market. She said she hopes the ETS review follows the same path, arguing that its effect on energy prices and on business competitiveness calls for structural action.