Energy: Rome, potential 20% savings on residential energy consumption

A potential 20% savings on energy consumption in Rome’s residential buildings, which comprise approximately 1.28 million occupied dwellings in over 175,000 buildings, according to the study “Energy Retrofit Strategy for Rome’s Real Estate Stock” prepared by ENEA as part of Rome’s Climate City Contract, which indicates that approximately 60% of the city’s total emissions are linked to buildings.

Overall, the residential sector accounts for the largest share of energy consumption in the capital’s buildings. According to ENEA calculations (2022 data), 59.7% of building energy consumption is linked to residential buildings, while the private commercial sector accounts for 26% and public buildings for 14.3%.

The ENEA analysis is based on over 400,000 energy performance certificates (APE), which show that approximately two-thirds of residential buildings in Rome fall into the lowest energy efficiency classes (F–G), characterized by poor energy performance.

The study also assesses the impact of incentive policies implemented in recent years: since 2013, over 350,000 energy retrofit projects have been carried out in Rome, thanks to programs like Ecobonus, Superbonus, Bonus Casa and Conto Termico. Overall, investments exceeded €6.1 billion, generating energy savings of over 1 TWh per year, equivalent to approximately 9% of residential sector consumption in 2022.

The report also analyses energy consumption in Rome’s public buildings: hospitals account for the largest share of energy consumption (27.8%), followed by administrative buildings (22.8%) and school buildings (11.6%).

ENEA has presented several scenarios for the energy retrofitting of Rome’s building stock: the policy scenario, the most ambitious, outlines energy savings of just over 100 GWh/year, requiring approximately 100,000 interventions each year. The analysis shows that, to meet the objectives of the Climate City Contract, interventions should focus on specific segments of the residential sector, particularly apartment buildings constructed from the post-World War II period through the 1980s, accelerating actions in housing occupied by families experiencing energy poverty, in order to improve living conditions and reduce the burden of utility bills.

According to the ENEA analysis, between 2025 and 2040, emissions reductions could range from approximately 250,000 to 450,000 tons of CO₂ per year, depending on the various intervention and investment scenarios. Among the most strategic properties for redevelopment, over 40,000 large apartment buildings with poor energy performance—built between the post-World War II period and the 1970s (approximately 600,000 housing units)—and about 750 public residential buildings with more than eight units have been identified.

“By cross-referencing these data with indicators such as the Social Disadvantage Index and the Building Disadvantage Index, it is possible to identify the neighborhoods where the first redevelopment actions should be concentrated, with the aim of combining energy transition and social inclusion” explained Monica Misceo, head of the ENEA Laboratory for Projects and Best Practices in Building Energy Redevelopment. “It would be useful” she concluded “to involve new professional roles like social facilitators, to promote pathways for participation in redevelopment processes, mediating relationships among technicians, professionals and tenants. This involvement is essential to prevent potential conflicts during the construction phase, avoiding delays in the implementation of the projects.”

“The energy retrofitting of the building stock is a strategic lever not only for decarbonization, but also for improving the quality of life and supporting Rome’s energy transition”, said Edoardo Zanchini, director of Rome Climate Office. “To achieve climate neutrality goals” he concluded “an integrated approach is needed that combines the electrification of consumption, building envelope retrofitting, digitalization and smart energy management, the integration of renewable energy sources and financial instruments capable of mobilizing new investments.”