Energy and electricity in Italy

The author discusses the economic problems due to the dependence of Italy on the import of electricity from the neighbouring countries coupled to the rise of oil prices. The National Energy Plan envisages a switch from hydrocarbons to coal and nuclear or other forms of energy bringing the additional advantage of lowering unwanted emissions into the atmosphere or sea. The changes in the generating equipment are considered together with the demands in various sectors of industry and in domestic usage. (I.G.)