Restrictions on water use may also become necessary in Italy for the sake of food supply

By: Trademagazin Date: 2023. 02. 24. 09:14

As a consequence of the extreme drought, it may even become necessary to “ration” the national water supply in Italy, Gilberto Pichetto Frantin, the minister responsible for environmental protection and energy security, stated on Radio24 radio.

Gilberto Picchetto Frantin stated that the drought will worsen in the coming months. He said he hoped it would rain in the next two to three months and the dams would be filled, or there would be consequences.
“No decision has been made yet, negotiations with the operators of the national water system have begun, but we will get there in some areas of Italy,” the minister of environmental protection and energy security hinted at the possible introduction of the “water quota”.

He pointed out that after the decrease already experienced last year, the capacity of the hydropower plants may decrease further. According to the data of Assoidroelettrica, which represents the sector, published on Friday, the performance of hydropower plants in 2022 dropped to almost half of what it was before, and an even worse result is expected this year.