Rising energy costs are once again worrying businesses in San Marino, particularly those that consume large amounts of electricity and gas. Sounding the alarm is Emanuele Rossini, president of Anis and CEO of Cartiera Ciacci, in an interview published today by Corriere Romagna.
At the heart of the issue is the situation facing paper mills, among the businesses most exposed to price increases. According to Rossini, the picture remains complicated in San Marino too — perhaps even more so than in Italy, where energy-intensive companies can rely on tools and incentives that are not available to the same extent on the Titano.
The rise in gas and electricity prices, which for Italian paper mills is estimated at around 40%, threatens to weigh on the competitiveness of San Marino’s companies. Compounding the problem is another structural limit: San Marino has no direct access to energy supply for companies that exceed certain annual consumption thresholds.
Rossini acknowledges the usefulness of the discount introduced by the Government on gas and electricity prices, but stresses the need to move beyond temporary measures. His call is for structural interventions, pointing to some of the solutions adopted in Italy as a possible reference.
Among the paths suggested are greater energy autonomy for the country, new investments in photovoltaics, and better use of domestic resources, including the Torello water basin. According to the Anis president, however, in the short term companies may be forced to pass on at least part of the increases to the prices of finished products, with possible knock-on effects for consumption and the market.
The international backdrop — from the war between Russia and Ukraine to other geopolitical tensions — continues to fuel uncertainty and hold back investment. Hence Rossini’s appeal: reduce dependence on foreign energy and build tools capable of truly protecting San Marino’s businesses.
