Fabio Fritelli (NEXTCHEM): what will the energy mix of the future look like?

Last September, during an episode of the podcast “The Big Interview” by “Wired Italia”, NEXTCHEM Managing Director Fabio Fritelli explained how innovation could drive Italy and Europe toward a net-zero future.

According to the executive, who leads the subsidiary of MAIRE specializing in sustainable technology solutions, the energy mix in the coming decades will become increasingly diverse, combining traditional sources with new, sustainable alternatives. While fossil fuels still dominate today, their role is expected to decline by 2050, with a gradual phase-out of coal and a significantly reduced reliance on oil. Gas will play a central role as the key transition fuel, evolving beyond its conventional form through the integration of carbon capture technologies and other solutions aimed at lowering its carbon footprint.

Gas will be increasingly combined with a growing share of renewables. “As early as this year – Fabio Fritelli noted – installed renewable capacity has already surpassed that of fossil fuels”. This trend is set to strengthen in the years ahead, helping to make the energy system progressively more sustainable and resilient. The renewable component of the mix will also include geothermal and hydropower, alongside bioenergy derived from agricultural and animal waste.

The role of the circular economy will be crucial as well. Recovering energy from waste could help create new energy carriers while reducing environmental impact. Each year, around 400 million tonnes of polymers are produced globally, yet only a small fraction is recycled. As production volumes are expected to continue rising, this represents a significant untapped energy opportunity. Alongside these solutions, Fabio Fritelli also pointed to nuclear power as a potential component of the future energy mix.