By Our Editorial Staff
The WeEnergy’s business unit was born from the technological experience of WeTech’s S.p.A. SB, a leading company in Information Technology, with over 200 employees and a group turnover that exceeds 100 million euros: the green heart of the group.
WeEnergy’s deals with renewable energy and energy efficiency, designing and building tailor-made systems for companies, individuals and public administrations throughout the country.
Through flexible solutions such as operating lease, it allows companies to install photovoltaic systems without tying up capital. The energy savings generated cover the fee from day one, which is fully deductible. At the end of the contract, the system can be redeemed at advantageous conditions, ensuring net savings for the next 25 years.
WeEnergy’s works turnkey, following the customer at every stage: from the preliminary study to the construction of the system, up to management and maintenance, thanks to a 24-hour active monitoring system. The guiding values are reliability, sustainability, peace of mind and continuous assistance.
Energy saving for WeEnergy’s is not just a technical issue, but a cultural one. It serves to educate, simplify choices, and transform costs into opportunities for growth. Each plant is designed to accompany citizens and businesses in a conscious and accessible energy transition process, capable of reducing environmental impact and increasing competitiveness.
Interview with Andrea Romei – CEO WeTech’s and WeEnergy’s
“We come from the IT world,” says Andrea Romei, “and it is precisely by working on the management of energy-intensive infrastructures, such as data centers, that we have developed a deep awareness of the issues of energy consumption and optimization. This is where WeEnergy’s was born: to transform technological experience into sustainable and local solutions.”
The group now works closely with public bodies, citizens and businesses, facilitating the process of joining the CER Italia Foundation and promoting the development of Renewable Energy Communities through turnkey solutions, technical support and targeted planning and communication tools. “Our goal is to connect technology with the territory – continues Romei – by building a scalable model that can serve everyone: citizens, SMEs, administrations. The collaboration with the CER Italia Foundation goes precisely in this direction: to create a strong, structured network that unites the public and private sectors.”
Technical in-depth analysis – Dario Corci (WeEnergy’s)
Dario Corci is the President of the Management Committee of the CER Italia Foundation and sales manager for WeEnergy’s. During the interview, he delved into numerous key aspects to understand the functioning of Energy Communities and the role of society in their implementation.
“Our job,” explains Corci, “is to support citizens, businesses and public administrations on the path towards the energy transition, providing complete technical and regulatory support.
“Currently, two projects are being approved for local realities that will concretely contribute to the sharing of energy produced by photovoltaic plants in the community context. This action demonstrates our commitment to the weakest groups, in line with the principles of the CER, which was founded in March 2024 as a non-profit foundation, with the Municipality of Montevarchi on the front line thanks to Mayor Silvia Chiassai Martini, who had the courage and vision to put her face to it”.
The CER is a Benefit reality, designed to remain rooted in the territory: “Our CEO Andrea Romei is from Montevarchi – continues Corci – and we want to ensure that the first concrete projects bring a real impact”. Today the Foundation is expanding rapidly, with strategic partners such as ENEL Energia. The main challenge now is communication, which is increasingly targeted, effective and accessible.
“Those who want to be an active part of the change join the CER,” he explains, “without costs, without constraints and without obligations to install systems. You can save up to 40% on your bill, thanks to shared energy. It is an opportunity for citizens and businesses to do, instead of think.”
In 2026, meetings will also start in schools to educate young people, with a playful and visual language, to a new energy culture.
“We are ready to listen to the needs of the territory and transform them into solutions. Valley Life magazine – concludes Corci – will be an important communication vehicle to reach all the citizens of our Valleys, Valdarno and Valdambra. Whether they are individuals or companies, a CER is a new community for everyone”.
Applications for the CER Italia Foundation (technical-scientific field)
- Definition and operation
What exactly is meant by Renewable Energy Community (CER)?
Renewable Energy Communities are autonomous local organizations in which individuals — citizens, businesses, local authorities, associations, third sector entities, clergy, etc. — come together to generate, consume and share energy from renewable sources, promoting energy self-sufficiency and promoting sustainable social and economic development.
What are the fundamental steps for the establishment of a CER in a territory?
Constitution of the legal entity, with statute and regulation. In the case of Fondazione CER Italia, the participatory foundation was chosen as it guarantees stability to the CER; Registration with the GSE. This makes the CER operational and allows access to PNRR incentives; Creation of configurations referring to primary substations – local energy exchange areas – with the consequent construction of plants (e.g. photovoltaic, but they can also include wind or hydroelectric plants…). At the same time, establishment of systems for measuring, managing and monitoring energy exchanges through a platform accessible to all ERC members.
Who can be part of it (citizens, businesses, local authorities…) and with what advantages?
Membership of the CER is open to all, private citizens, SMEs, public bodies, third sector entities, parishes and religious bodies, associations, etc. can participate.
The only entities excluded from direct membership of the CER for regulatory reasons and balance in the distribution of benefits are the Large Companies which, however, can be partners and investors of the CERs and can promote the Energy Community, collaborate in the creation of plants, support the technological infrastructure and contribute to research and development projects related to the energy transition.
The advantages of joining a CER are different depending on the categories:
- Consumers: they can save up to 30% on their bills;
- Prosumers (producers and consumers): up to 60% savings thanks to self-consumption and sharing;
- Producers: they receive the incentive for 20 years for energy injected (CACER decree).
- Municipalities under 50,000 inhabitants: access to 40% non-repayable PNRR grants for photovoltaic systems by 30 November 2025.
- Technological and regulatory aspects
What technologies are needed today to make a CER work effectively (e.g. plants, software, measurement systems)?
In order to allow a CER to function properly, renewable production plants, possible storage systems… A platform for user management, monitoring and accounting of energy exchanges.
What are the main regulatory innovations (regional, national, European) that are facilitating the development of CERs?
Italian legislation has defined specific incentives for CERs and introduced the PNRR, which guarantees a 40% non-repayable fund for those who want to build a RES plant in municipalities with less than 50,000 inhabitants.
How does the GSE support or incentivize the deployment of CERs?
The GSE prepares advances and economic statements twice a year for consumers and producers who are part of an Energy Community and organizes initiatives (such as the “Live – Livable Territories” event that awarded the CER Italia Foundation) to promote tools and incentives related to the energy transition and CERs.
- The Montevarchi case
How does the Municipality of Montevarchi fit into the framework of Italian pilot projects?
Montevarchi has promoted the first publicly-powered CER in Italy — the CER Italia Foundation — operational since 2023 and repeatedly awarded, both by the GSE (“Vivi – Territori Vivibili” Award) and by Legambiente (C.E.R.S. Award) as a national virtuous model.
Which partners are involved and what roles do they play (e.g. WeEnergy’s, MPS, Aboca, etc.)?
Partners include Aboca, Beghelli, Enel, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, WeEnergy’s, Federidroelettrica, Regran… All important realities that have recognized the importance of the project and decided to support the energy transition through their services, dedicated to the users of Fondazione CER Italia.
What expected results have you set yourself in terms of energy produced, savings generated, or involvement of citizens?
The priority is the promotion of a sustainable model, capable of educating citizens to a more conscious use of energy, combating energy poverty by ensuring social cohesion, and promoting local development through the sharing of resources and benefits. In this we believe that the role of the PA is central as a bearer of interests in their respective territories as an active part for daily support in enhancing experience, identity and aspirations. These principles can be fed by the resources provided by the incentives thanks to Municipalities that will be able to accept the requests that come from the territory and formulate proposals also through the establishment of the Area Committees provided for by the Statute of our CER precisely to give a concrete tool for the requests that come from the territories.
Expected results: The target for the energy produced and consequently shared in the CER has been set at just over 10,000 MWh/year. We are reasonably convinced that this is an achievable and achievable goal on the deadline for the submission of applications provided for by the cacer decree set for 31.12.2027
- Scenarios and impacts
What are the most relevant environmental and economic benefits of CERs at the community level?
The main environmental advantages are lower CO2 emissions thanks to the use of renewable energy, the achievement of total or partial energy autonomy, local economic development thanks to the sharing of resources and, consequently, the resulting benefits, and a cohesive and collaborative social structure capable of transmitting sustainability values to the new generations.
The economic benefits mainly concern the reduction of energy costs…
What kind of governance is suggested to ensure participation and transparency in the decision-making processes of CERs?
The participatory Foundation model chosen by Fondazione CER Italia is the ideal choice: a participatory structure with internal Regulations and Statutes where members decide together and rely on decision-making transparency and a perfect capital structure. The stipulation of agreements with important partners and collaborations with associations, moreover, guarantees the constant growth of the CER without losing sight of the interests of the participants.
How can CERs also contribute to tackling energy poverty?
CERs offer an effective reduction in energy costs, meeting the most vulnerable groups. The CER Italia Foundation promotes the creation of funds dedicated to supporting energy poverty. In addition, through the dissemination of the correct use of energy resources, awareness is created among consumers.
The energy of change – Mayor Silvia Chiassai Martini
“I realized that we could no longer limit ourselves to administering the ordinary. We had to look beyond, twenty years into the future.” So says Silvia Chiassai Martini, Mayor of Montevarchi and creator of the CER Italia Foundation, founded in 2023 and now already operational with over 65 member municipalities.
The idea took shape and started in 2021, in the midst of the energy emergency, when high bills put families, companies and public bodies in crisis. At that moment it became clear that we had to change course”.
“We wanted to give a concrete response to high bills and energy poverty,” she explains, “by offering citizens, businesses and schools the opportunity to actively participate, even without installing systems. With the Foundation, we provide technical know-how, bureaucratic support and strategic vision to create hundreds of CERs throughout Italy.”
With partners such as WeEnergy’s, Monte dei Paschi, Aboca and ENEL, the Foundation has activated a national path. “Our governance is public and transparent,” concludes Chiassai, “and each member has the right to vote, according to the role he or she plays in the community: prosumer, consumer or producer.”
To find out more, receive a free consultation or join the CER:
WeEnergy’s, registered and administrative headquarters:
Via F.lli Alinari, 76-80-82 / Montevarchi (Ar)
Tel. +39 055 098 4442 / www.weenergys.it / info@weenergys.it