As many as 42 methane emission pointsof which 20 cases of venting (direct release into the atmosphere) and approx 22 losses in different infrastructure components (bolts, valves, joints, connectors and meters). In extreme summary, these the data collected by Legambiente in collaboration with Clean Air Task Force (CATF) within the monitoring conducted (between May 12th and 14th) on 19 fossil fuel plants in Lombardy, in the Lodi area and in the Crema area.
In the number one region for fossil energy production and consumption, out of 19, 14 of the infrastructures have significant emissions of methane gasan invisible enemy with a climate-altering effect up to 86 times more powerful than that of CO₂ and one of the main causes of the climate crisis. Among the systems that cause the greatest concern those of Sergnano storage (CR) and Settala (MI): despite the distance from the components and the possibility of analyzing only small portions of the systems, they were 14 emission points were found in the first (10 losses and 4 venting) and 5 in the second (1 loss and 4 venting).
In the case of the plant Sergnano (CR)Furthermore, the environmental association found a flaring not turned on which vented a cloud of methane continuously. A problem that affected not only the various wells connected to the plant, but also the ENI hydrocarbon treatment and collection plant in Caviaga (LO) and that of Cornegliano IGS storage (LO).
The investigation, made possible by the “FLIR GF320” thermal imaging camera for optical gas detection, was conducted as part of the Lombardy stage of the second edition of “C’è Puzza di Gas. For the future of the planet, don’t hold your nose.” the Green Swan campaign together with CATF created with the aim of informing and raising awareness of the risks linked to the leakage and waste of methane in the atmosphere; and which, starting from demonstrations, flash mobs and disputes, denounces Italy’s dependence on fossil fuels and monitors the infrastructure, bringing to light how the problem of methane gas leaks is the common denominator of all Italian regions: from Sicily to Abruzzo, from Basilicata to Campania up to Lombardy and Piedmont, protagonists of the last stage.
“The data we present today merely give us confirmation of a silent enemy, methane gas, which threatens our present and future – he declares Katiuscia Eroe, Energy manager of Legambiente –. Italy needs a Government that has more courage, that focuses on different policies based on energy efficiencies, renewables, networks and storage. On the subject of fugitive emissions, it is not only essential that the European Regulation on the matter be implemented as soon as possible (in the final stages) but that it goes in the direction indicated by the IPCC, implementing ambitious policies and also filling the gaps in the European document. In this regard, it is essential not only that the topic enters the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, but that no euros are spent by companies to monitor and intervene on serious losses on the bills of families and companies”.
“Our Region is the one that produces and consumes the most energy from fossil sources in Italy – comments Barbara Meggetto, president of Legambiente Lombardia –. A record not to be proud of. Thanks to the infrared thermal imaging camera, today we observed the massive methane losses in the Lombardy infrastructure network. A danger that can only increase, considering the eleven authorization procedures approved by MASE in the Region from 2020 to today, including the revamping and expansion regarding the Tavazzano Montanaso (LO) power plant. Projects that demonstrate how much we are going in the wrong direction, contrary to the spread of energy from renewable sources and to phase out from all climate-altering fossil sources.”
Fossil sources in Lombardy. There Lombardy is the region that produces the most energy in Italy with 50.4 TWh of electricity generated (2022), of which 72% coming from the thermoelectric sector, where fossil gas is the main energy source used, with 34.4 TWh produced. It is no coincidence that Lombardy is also the Italian region with the highest gas consumption: as many as 16.1 billion cubic meters in 2022, compared to a national consumption of 67.2 billion (24%). Distribution and thermoelectric are the sectors with the highest consumption (7.6 billion cubic meters and 6.3), followed by the industrial sector (2.6). Fossil thermoelectric is a sector destined to expand: in fact, they are well 11 authorization procedures approved by MASE in the Region from 2020 to today, distributed across 7 power plants, including revamping projects on existing gas power plants and installation of new turbines; of these, 5 were awarded Capacity Market auctions between 2022 and 2024, enjoying state incentives. Among the projects is the revamping and expansion (for a passage of electrical power from 1460 MW to 2041 MW) of the Tavazzano Montanaso power plant (THE). Another sector in which Lombardy plays a central role is that linked to gas storage, hosting on its territory the largest number of storage plants in Italy (6) distributed across five concessions with 135 wells. Storage supported by hydrocarbon production which in 2023 recorded 21.768 million cubic meters of gas.
European regulation on methane emissions: lights and shadows. The rules it was voted on last April 2024 by the European Parliament and will pass to the Council for final approval. For the Green Swan, however, despite being an important step forward, it foresees too long deadlines and does not intervene in a sufficiently ambitious manner. No gas import standards will be introduced before 2030. Standards which, if applied immediately, could guarantee savings of 90 billion cubic meters of gas, equal to 54 billion euros per year, avoiding 30% of global methane emissions from the gas and oil sector. The introduction of these standards after 2030 is in full conflict with the objectives set under the Global Methane Pledge, as well as a huge missed opportunity in terms of saving resources. Added to these is the intention to unload the costs of implementing the regulation on citizenship and a widespread use of exceptions (among the most concerned is the possibility for the operator to reduce the frequency of leak detection and repair activities, even up to at 36-60 months, if it demonstrates a low percentage of losses on a given infrastructure in the previous 5 years).
The images of the emissions were taken by Théophile Humann-Guilleminot, CATF ITC(1) certified thermographer
