Provincial Agency for Water and Energy Resources

The Provincial Agency for Water and Energy Resources (APRIE) is a Technical Department of the Autonomous Province of Trento, which provides technical assistance on energy policies, programs, outreach, funding sources and the dissemination of energy awareness.  

APRIE has three main focus areas concerning energy topics: regional energy planning, policies and actions for the promotion of renewable sources, water included, and the improvement of energy efficiency at the local and regional level. 

The main competencies of APRIE are related to energy planning and management, as well as in areas such as legislative proposals and regional authority. 

The agency manages the development of the local energy system and is working with international, national and local partners to apply regulations, supporting the energy efficiency initiatives and promoting the development of RES to realise the provision of the energy-environmental provincial plan. 

APRIE works with a broad range of groups, stakeholders, energy utilities, professional associations, committees and advisory bodies, some of which include representatives from the private sector. 

Activities 

Main areas of intervention for APRIE are: 

• Funding programmes for retrofitting of existing buildings; 

• Training and education of energy users and energy producers, and prosumers; 

• Supporting the energy efficiency of SMEs; 

• Optimisation of energy production from district heating to biomass; 

• Adaptation to climate change in the building sector; 

• Writing and implementing the Energy and Environmental Provincial Plan ; 

• Smart grid– integrating power grids with sustainable energy sources. 

Projects 

European projects that APRIE has supported include:  

• ILETE – Intelligent Energy Europe Programme. 

• ENERBUILD – Alpine Space Programme. 

• BIO-EN-AREA – Interreg IV Programme. 

• FINERPOL – Interreg Europe Programme (2016-2020). 

• IMEAS – Alpine Space Programme (2016-2019). 

• AMETHyst – AlpineSpace. 

• Life+ Ecoempower – Life Programme. 

• PREPAIR – Life Integrated Project Programme (2017-2024). 

Structure 

Trento’s special Statute of Autonomy – in force since 1948 – grants the autonomous province direct legislative, administrative and financial jurisdiction in fundamental areas, including energy issues, taxes and financial legislation and allows it to administrate 90% of direct and indirect income collected within the province. The financial resources and wealth produced remain within Trento and are administered by the provincial government. 

Financial and legislative autonomy has allowed the planning of investment and strategic projects related to the main competitive resources for the province. Accordingly, and specifically on energy issues, Trento is a leader in energy efficiency – especially sustainable building and renewable energy in Italy, thanks to local professional and academic expertise and precious natural resources.