Savona generates 7.7 billion euros, second in the region: “Infrastructures for growth are urgent”

Savona. Industry, energy transition and infrastructure. These are the areas of focus explored in depth by the third territorial table of TEHA – The European House Ambrosetti dedicated to the province of Savona, held this morning at the University Campus in the presence of the regional councilor for Economic Development Alessio Piana and local stakeholders.

“After Imperia and La Spezia, the comparison with the territory continues in Savona in anticipation of the final event of the return of the eighth edition of the Ambrosetti Forum – explains the regional councilor for Economic Development Alessio Piana – A well-attended meeting from which emerged the driving force of the industrial sector in the economic development of Savona, as well as the strategic nature of the sea economy which however requires an adequate infrastructural system. Potential that we are convinced can be further expressed from here in the future and which, as the Liguria Region, we are accompanying together with Invitalia with 50 new million euros in favor of the companies of the 21 municipalities recognized within the Savonese Complex Industrial Crisis Area” .

The highlighted numbers indicate that the province of Savona generates 7.7 billion euros of added value, the second regional contributor with 16.1%. In particular, in the three-year period 2019-2022 it grew (12.5%) more than the national (8.6%) and regional average (7.1%) with a strong push coming from industry. Savona’s exports are worth 18% of the regional ones and, despite the decline recorded in the last year, they have exceeded pre-Covid levels, with the chemical sector leading the way (42.9%), followed by agri-food (14%) and by means of transport (13.7%).

Savona’s industry is highly energy-intensive (it consumes around 40% of energy) and decarbonisation is a priority to support the competitiveness of the area. 92.1% of regional wind production and the largest share of photovoltaic production (27.3%) are concentrated here. At an infrastructural level, the ports of Savona and Vado Ligure record excellent performances (2.6 percentage points in the last 10 years) and have recovered pre-Covid 19 levels, driven by the multipurpose vocation for goods that do not travel in containers (general cargo , rolling stock and special loads).

The need for integrated interventions is shared. With specific reference to those on the road (motorway connection between A6 and A26 on the Altare-Predosa route, interventions on the Aurelia Bis), those on rail (doubling of the Ferrovia del Ponente on the Andora-Finale Ligure section, modernization and doubling of the Trofarello-San section Giuseppe di Cairo-Savona), those of the ‘last mile’ for accessibility to the port (Savona-Vado Ligure railway line, construction of the Bossarino toll booth, modernization of the expressway between Savona and Vado Ligure) and those at sea (completion of the breakwater of Vado Ligure and construction of the new Darsena di Savona, interventions in rear-port areas and cold ironing in the port). Finally, tourism confirms itself as a great driving force for growth in the area, with important potential for strategic positioning on foreign markets which can increase the accommodation offer, also through the creation of services and business networks.