An international perspective on the future of power generation and transmission world wide: the Italian case

The outlook for ENEL planning problems up to the end of the century is updated. The author outlines the choices of a suitable mix of multifuel coal-fired and gas-fired plants which, with the higher participation of nonutility generators (NUGs) to the electricity supply, should decrease electrical energy imports, from the present 16.9% to 4.5% of the demand in the year 2000. Environmental protection, its impact on the cost of electricity, and the need for finding the money required in a situation where the updating of tariffs is subject to political intermediation are discussed. The need for a joint solution by the ENEL, the other companies in the electricity business, and government for the technical and economic solutions of the problems is emphasized