The new rules "aim to strengthen and rationalise the system," and attain "the double objective of increasing renewable energy production in line with European objectives and reducing the linked subsidies which are ultimately charged to the consumer," the government said in a statement.

Economic Development Minister Paolo Romani, who wants to end the associated "fraud and speculation" says the current system has cost the public purse 35 billion euros ($49 billion) over 10 years.

The level of aid to be paid in future, and who is eligible, will be decided by the end of next month, in order for the new rules to be in force on June 1.

That will give "more certainty and stability to a sector which must not become a speculative bubble," Italy's Environment Minister Stefania Prestigiacomo said.

According to the EU goals, renewable energy should make up 17 percent of Italy's total consumption by 2020.

The latest available figures, from late 2008, showed just 6.8 percent use of renewables, notably solar power.

del.icio.us	Digg	Reddit
YahooMyWeb	Google	Facebook

Carbon Offsets Provide Unique New Option For Landowners Italy moves to reduce renewable energy handouts Hong Kong tycoon 'set to clinch British power business' Germany's RWE sees tough years ahead Philippine oil survey gets escort amid China spat Shell seeks to soothe S.African fears on shale gas plans Arab unrest and the 'End of the Oil Age' Shah Deniz II gas sale delayed GL Garrad Hassan Delivers Wind Map Of Lebanon Eon to build fifth U.K. offshore wind farm GL Garrad Hassan Launches Onshore Wind Resource Mapping For UK Construction Begins On Dempsey Ridge Wind Project LADWP And SolarWorld Partner To Develop PV Power System In LA PV Evolution Labs Launches Independent Solar Testing Facilities Enecsys Announces The Cost-Saving, Solar PV Duo EverGEN Solar Powered Lights Selected For Popular City Bike Path Areva profits up 60% After 50 Years, Nuclear Power Is Still Not Viable Without Subsidies Dominion Welcomes Renewed License For Kewaunee Power Station Lightbridge Provides Nuclear Fuel Development Update Microorganism creates fuel, company says Turning Bacteria Into Butanol Biofuel Factories Sewage Plant Waste Water As A Huge New Energy Source Sugarcane Bioethanol: Environmental Implications China Mars probe set for November launch Shenzhou 8 Mission Could Top Three Weeks U.S. wary of China space weapons Slow progress in U.S.-China space efforts How Severe Can Climate Change Become UK climatologists seek bubble blowers, cloud watchers Spotlight On Local Change Hotspots Of Carbon Confusion In Indonesia Threaten To Warm The World More Quickly