<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Civic Network of South Tyrol

Welcome to South Tyrol

Energy and climate protection

EnergyIn the past 40 years the amount of energy consumption has doubled. Stocks of fossilised fuel - petroleum, natural gas and coal - are limited. World-wide the pollution of the environment, particularly the air, has many times increased. In view of the facts it is the duty of all states and regions to take measures for energy saving and climate protection. The Provincial government of South Tyrol takes this duty seriously. Since 1993 South Tyrol has been an associate member of a Climatology Alliance and is thereby obliged to work towards fulfilment of the aims contained in the Alliance manifesto.
This means first of all applying energy policy measures at home. An economical and rational use of energy, an environmentally supportable guarantee of energy supply, and a reduction in emissions of harmful substances must have absolute priority in future decisions. The provincial energy plan, finished in 1998, is, with a list of obligatory measures, an important instrument for further developments in this sector. Key points in the measures are the energy saving and the increased use of local sources of renewable energy. A change in this direction in the energy sector is already ascertainable.
In November 1998 the South Tyrolese Energy Company SEL AG was founded; its aim is to take over the current distribution in the electricity mains of the state Energy Company ENEL (in 1998, nearly 60 per cent of the current produced in South Tyrol has been distributed by the ENEL). On 1 January 2000 a new energy regulation has come into force, making the province responsible for the allocation of the water-pipes and the distribution licence.

In the field of alternative energy South Tyrol is the leading country in the European Union. Thus with regard to the use of solar energy flat plate collectors per inhabitant are five times the Union average. In 2000 there were 101,000 mē of flat plate collectors in South Tyrol. This corresponds to more than a third of the total of sun collectors at national level.
South Tyrol is also the leading country in regard to the use of the biomass, in 2000 it has covered nearly 15 per cent of its total energy consumption through the use of wood. At present there is a total of eight local heating plants in operation in South Tyrol, and others are being built or planned. A significant part of total energy consumption is provided by the use of local water power for electricity production.

The Province also serves as a model in regard to the building of houses. In 1996, the Provincial government adopted the climate protection directives for buildings drawn up by the Climatology Alliance. These provide for a low energy method of construction, which was applied for the first time to the new provincial government building in Crispi Street, Bozen. Four litres of heating oil per square metre are sufficient to heat it instead of the ten to twelve litres needed by traditional houses. Furthermore, 15 per cent of the yearly energy consumption will be covered by solar panels - a renewable energy source therefore. In order to win the individual citizen over to low energy construction methods the Province provides various incentives. Amongst others, a 30 per cent financial grant is provided for insulation against heat loss, chaff-chopper machine heating, heat pumps and local heating systems. Private individuals putting up solar energy systems are refunded 30 per cent of the costs. The same percentage applies to the use of chaff-chopper machines and biogas systems in agriculture.

Things are also happening at municipal level. 55 South Tyrolese municipalities have by now joined the Climatology Alliance and begun drawing up municipal energy reports. It is now necessary to reduce existing energy consumption levels which municipalities are already tackling.

SunenergyAll these aspects are important for bringing about cleaner air and a healthy living space. Nevertheless, protection of the environment begins on a small scale and on the spot. For that reason the Province has increased in recent years the amount of information for the population. In numerous pamphlets, through informatory events and school project as well as through advisory bodies, tips are given on energy saving and climate protection.
In May 2000 the annual international conference of the Climatology Alliance was held up in Bozen.