Electricity Prices Drop to Zero Across Italy: A Historic May Day Thanks to Solar Power

May 1st, 2025 will be remembered as a historic milestone for energy in Italy: for several consecutive hours, the National Single Price (PUN) dropped to zero euros across the entire country.

This extraordinary outcome was made possible by a strong surge in solar power generation, combined with the low electricity demand typical of a public holiday.

What Does “Zero PUN” Mean?

The PUN, or National Single Price of electricity, is the weighted average value that reflects the cost of energy traded on the Italian Power Exchange.When the PUN drops to zero, it means that — at that moment — electricity is so abundant that it has no price on the wholesale market.

On May 1st, 2025, this phenomenon occurred for a full 7 consecutive hours across the entire country — from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — affecting even the areas that are usually the most “expensive.”A truly unprecedented event in Italy’s energy history.

Why Did It Happen?

The key factors behind this historic milestone were:

• High solar power production: A sunny day and the growing spread of solar installations led to a peak in renewable energy generation.

• Low electricity demand: As a public holiday, energy consumption from both households and industries was well below average.

A Clear Signal for Italy’s Energy Future

This event is not an anomaly — it’s a positive wake-up call: the energy transition is underway, and it’s already changing the rules of the game.Episodes of renewable overgeneration, where production exceeds demand, will become increasingly common.

But beware: for this shift to be truly sustainable and efficient, urgent reforms and targeted investments are needed, particularly in the following areas:

• Energy storage (batteries and pumped hydro systems)

• Electric system flexibility

• Upgrading the transmission grid

• Digitalization and smart load management

Our Commitment to the Energy Transition

At Noraservice, we work every day to develop sustainable projects and solutions in the renewable energy sector.We believe in a future where solar, wind, and technological innovation form the foundation of a more equitable, efficient, and decarbonized energy system, serving both local communities and the environment.

Request a free consultation and discover the opportunities of solar and wind energy!