Roberto Capobianco, the President of Conflavoro, has expressed strong support for the recently approved 'Decreto Bollette,' highlighting the importance of long-term energy contracts, known as Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). He argues that these contracts represent a significant opportunity for stabilizing energy costs, particularly for small enterprises which typically struggle to access such arrangements. Capobianco's concerns focus on ensuring that the benefits of state guarantees provided by the Decree do not disproportionately advantage larger companies that already have greater access to these contracts.

Moreover, Capobianco points out that a large percentage of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Italy, which constitute over 96% of businesses, face issues related to their classification as energy-intensive firms. Despite having energy costs proportionally similar to those of designated energy-intensive companies, many SMEs do not qualify for substantial state incentives due to this classification gap, thereby excluding them from critical financial relief.

The implications of Capobianco’s statements are vital for the policy landscape affecting small businesses in Italy. If the government does not address these inequalities in access to long-term contracts and state support, it could exacerbate the challenges that SMEs face amidst rising energy costs. His comments call for a more inclusive approach to energy policy that recognizes the unique challenges faced by smaller firms and ensures they can compete on a more level playing field with larger corporations.