Implementation of the RED III Directive: a new push for renewables in heating, cooling and beyond

Italy has completed the transposition of EU Directive 2023/2413 , known as RED III , with the adoption of the implementing Legislative Decree which brings European standards into our legal system to accelerate the development of renewable energy .

The new regulatory framework marks a significant shift for the national energy system: not only does it strengthen the overall targets for the penetration of clean energy sources, but it also imposes specific obligations on strategic sectors such as heating and cooling of buildings, industry, and transport, key areas for the decarbonization of final energy consumption.

More ambitious goals and regulatory innovations

The decree implementing RED III brings with it a series of innovations that impact energy planning and the system design choices of professionals and operators in the sector. Among the most impactful aspects are:

• higher national targets for renewables , with the share of energy from RES (Renewable Energy Sources) having to reach a significantly higher percentage by 2030 compared to the previous legislation;
• sector-specific targets for heating and cooling , requiring the progressive integration of low-emission systems in new buildings and major renovations;
• greater emphasis on incentives and simplified authorization procedures aimed at speeding up the construction of renewable energy plants.

These elements outline a trajectory that no longer concerns only electricity, but extends to thermal energy for heating and cooling, with direct impacts on heating systems, heat pumps, solar thermal systems, and aggregate solutions in construction and industry.

Impacts on the energy system and the professional supply chain

The implementation of RED III requires the Italian energy market to progressively integrate renewables into final energy consumption, with a paradigm shift that requires coordination between regulation, planning, and technology.

Businesses and professionals have to deal with a context in which the following is increasingly central:

• the adoption of thermal generation systems from renewable sources , such as advanced heat pumps and solar collectors;
• the definition of plant strategies that combine energy efficiency and renewables, especially in the building sector;
• the integration of thermal solutions with clean electric cycles and storage systems .

This regulatory evolution poses new challenges but also concrete opportunities for designers, installers, and system developers, encouraging broader integration of renewable technologies into the construction, renovation, and energy management processes of buildings and industrial systems.