Hosting capacity information in Italy is planned to be published in the coming months as part of ongoing developments to enhance transparency and supporting stakeholders with clearer and more accessible system information (Legislative Decree n. 21 of 20th of February 2026).
At present, Terna provides visibility through the publication of aggregated data on high‑voltage grid connection requests, including volumes and status at municipal level, via its public data platform, as well as indication on "critical" areas and lines.
The Italian grid connection framework is based on a structured process starting from connection requests, followed by technical assessment and implementation phases. The process applies different approaches depending on the type of user, with distinct responsibilities for generation (in particular RESs and storage) and demand units.
Capacity allocation is currently managed according to a first‑come‑first‑serve principle, and in case of insufficient available capacity, grid reinforcement solutions may be considered.
The process, for on-shore RES and BESS, is currently undergoing normative and regulatory evolution following the Legislative Decree n. 21 of February 2026. In this context, the future publication of hosting capacity information will provide additional transparency on network capabilities, complementing existing information.
At distribution level, currently information from E-Distribuzione is included through the Portal. E-Distribuzione hosting capacity information is publicly available through interactive grid capacity maps covering the entire DSO service area. These maps provide valuable insights into network constraints at different levels of granularity, including both district level and HV/MV node level.
Information is primarily conveyed through a colour-coded classification system indicating grid criticality, ranging from very low to highly critical conditions.The current approach focuses on generation and storage connections and considers only firm connections, without accounting for flexibility-based solutions.
Hosting capacity is assessed using a simplified, area-based methodology built on aggregated indicators such as transformer capacity, minimum load, and submitted connection requests. This approach enables the identification of potential congestion levels under standard operating conditions.
The assessment mainly reflects network constraints at primary substation level. Data is updated on a monthly or quarterly basis, depending on asset type and criticality.