Italy’s Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) has introduced non-price criteria for two upcoming photovoltaic tenders under its “Fer X Transitorio” program, making the country one of the first EU member states to apply resilience measures under the bloc’s Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA).
The tenders, with a total capacity allocation of 1.6 gigawatts, will prioritize modules manufactured within the European Union. Under Decree MASE No. 220/2025, which took effect on Aug. 28, photovoltaic projects of up to 1 megawatt must use non-Chinese components to qualify. Systems with modules, cells, and inverters originating from China will be excluded from participation.
The decree also requires that at least one additional component from the EU list of solar technologies must not be sourced from China. Up to 20% of the tender quota will be reserved for a special auction where modules, cells, inverters, and one other component must meet the “not from China” criteria under EU Regulation 2025/1178.
“It is not yet known when the tender will be launched. A 30-day window is planned,” said Marco Balzano, founder of the company of the same name. He added that rankings will be published within 45 days and no later than Dec. 31, 2025.
Balzano also noted that MASE will update operating rules and quota calculations by Sept. 2, based on a proposal from state energy agency Gestore Servizi Energetici (GSE). He advised project developers who can comply with the new requirements to consider withdrawing bids already submitted and wait for the separate tender.
