Italy’s energy industry has long been characterized by its reliance on fossil fuels, though the new millennium has seen the country pivot towards renewable energy sources in a bid to ensure a more sustainable and secure energy future. This shift is critical given Italy’s limited domestic energy resources and its heavy dependence on imported supplies. This is on top of the European Union’s new guidelines for reducing carbon emissions and fully transitioning to green energy. Historically, petroleum has been the backbone of Italy’s energy consumption primarily utilized in the transport sector. Natural gas dominates the production of electricity and heating. Together, fossil fuels account for a substantial portion of Italy’s energy mix. Given how reliant Italy is upon imported fuel and energy, recent discoveries of moderate reserves in the Po Valley and offshore Adriatic Sea offer some hope for an increase in domestic production and energy independence. Hydroelectric power has also played a pivotal role in Italy’s energy history. Since the inauguration of the first power plant in continental Europe in Milan in 1883, hydroelectricity was the primary source of electricity until the 1960s. Today, it remains a crucial component of Italy’s renewable energy portfolio. The early 2010s marked a significant turning point for Italy's renewable energy sector. Generous incentives spurred rapid growth in wind and solar power, propelling Italy to become one of the world’s leading producers of renewable energy by the 2020s. Renewable energy is the crux of Italy’s strategy to diversify its energy sources and reduce its carbon footprint. Eni, one of the world's supermajor oil companies, defines Italy's overall position on the global energy stage. With operations in 79 countries, Eni is a major player in the oil sector. The Val d'Agri area in Basilicata, home to Europe's largest onshore hydrocarbon field, points to new possibilities for the Italian energy industry to stand on its own.