By Liam Moloney
ROME--Italy's outgoing government has decided to allow the local
population to be more involved in the planning process for new
energy infrastructure projects, to ensure they are implemented more
swiftly, said a top official Tuesday.
"Essential energy infrastructure in Italy needs to have its
basis on strong local consensus," said Claudio De Vincenti,
industry ministry undersecretary, at an energy event organized by
Enel SpA (ENEL.MI) in Rome.
"If projects ignore the local population, then there will be
problems with the executive [construction phase], while if it
includes it then we will have results," said Mr. De Vincenti.
Energy infrastructure projects in Italy are extremely slow to
start construction work as public opposition to them can cause
year-long delays in the courts, scaring away investors.
Last year, BG Group PLC (BG.LN) pulled out of a liquefied
natural gas import terminal project, in Brindisi, southern Italy,
because after 11 years it still hadn't received authorization to
start due to objections from local residents.
After last month's general election, Italian lawmakers are
trying to hammer out a deal to form a new government that will
replace the current technocratic one of Prime Minister Mario
Monti.
Write to Liam Moloney at liam.moloney@dowjones.com
