Italy’s government unveiled on Friday a new national energy strategy aiming to phase out coal in electricity generation by 2025, and significantly boost the share of renewables in total energy and electricity consumption. In the framework document drafted by the ministries of economic development and environment, Italy plans to have 28 percent of its total energy consumption covered by renewable energy sources by 2030, compared to 17.5 percent in 2015. The target for renewables in electricity generation is to achieve a share of 55 percent by 2030, up from 33.5 percent in 2015. In the transportation sector, Italy targets renewables at a 21-percent share by 2030, versus 6.4 percent in 2015. The country is also doubling research and development investments in clean energy to US$517 million (444 million euro) in 2021 from US$258 million (222 million euro) in 2013. Alongside a big push for renewables, Italy—Europe’s fourth-largest energy consumer […]