The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €30 million loan for Azienda Comprensoriale Acquedottistica S.p.A (ACA), the utility company managing integrated water services for approximately 450,000 residents in the Italian provinces of Pescara, Chieti, and Teramo. The initial €20 million tranche was signed by Milena Messori, Head of the EIB Local Office in Italy, and Giovanna Brandelli, CEO of ACA. This financing, backed by the InvestEU programme, will support ACA’s water and wastewater investment plan for 2024-2026. Other recent EIB-backed projects in Italy include funding for Iren (€200 million), Valle Umbra Servizi (€35 million), ETRA (€100 million), Acquedotto Pugliese (€270 million), Como Acqua (€50 million), Hera Group (€460 million), ACEA (€435 million), Acque (€130 million), and CIIP (€50 million).
This marks the first EIB green loan awarded to a business in the Abruzzo region. EIB green loans support projects that focus on sustainability, climate action, and environmental protection. Key initiatives receiving funding include the expansion of the water supply network to ensure broader and more reliable access to water, along with the integration of advanced technologies to enhance water quality and wastewater management. Additionally, measures will be implemented to improve operational processes, reducing costs and increasing overall efficiency.
A critical aspect of the project is enhancing the resilience of the region’s water infrastructure against extreme climate events. This will help Abruzzo better withstand droughts and water crises, such as the one that affected the region in 2024. The investment will not only improve water resource management but also contribute to a higher quality of life for residents.
The agreement is part of an ongoing partnership between the EIB and the city of Pescara. In March 2022, this collaboration led to €35 million in financing for the renewal of waste sorting facilities, procurement of environmentally friendly vehicles, and improvements in energy efficiency for schools and public buildings.
“This agreement reaffirms our commitment to Italian utility companies and to improving water infrastructure in Italy. With InvestEU backing, we are assisting ACA Pescara in reducing water losses, enhancing efficiency, and providing high-quality water services despite climate change-related challenges,” said Milena Messori, Head of the EIB Local Office in Italy.
ACA CEO Giovanna Brandelli also highlighted the importance of the financing: “This is the first EIB green loan granted to a business in Abruzzo. The €30 million loan will significantly enhance the region’s water network and service quality. It is the first time ACA has received financing from such a prestigious institution, demonstrating that the company’s strategic direction is yielding positive results. Strengthening resilience against climate events will ensure that Abruzzo can better cope with future water crises like the one experienced in 2024.”
Italy Leads in EIB Water Sector Investments
The EIB is one of the world’s leading lenders for the water sector, having financed approximately 1,640 projects with a total of €84 billion since 1958. Over the last decade, Italy has received more EIB water sector funding than any other country, amounting to over €4 billion.
About the EIB and InvestEU Programme
The European Investment Bank (EIB) serves as the long-term lending institution of the European Union and is owned by its Member States. The EIB finances projects that support EU policy goals, focusing on climate action, environmental protection, digitalisation, technological innovation, social infrastructure, and market integration. As part of its Climate Bank Roadmap, all EIB-funded projects align with the Paris Climate Agreement, with approximately 60% of its annual financing directed toward climate change mitigation, adaptation, and sustainability.
Together with the European Investment Fund (EIF), the EIB Group signed approximately €89 billion in new financing across 900 projects in 2024. These investments bolstered Europe’s competitiveness, energy security, and economic growth, mobilising over €100 billion in investment capital. Approximately half of the EIB’s EU-based financing supports projects in cohesion regions, where per capita income is below the EU average. In 2024, the EIB Group committed €10.98 billion across 99 operations in Italy, helping to unlock nearly €37 billion in investment for the real economy.
The InvestEU programme provides long-term funding by leveraging private and public investments to support a sustainable recovery. It consolidates EU financial instruments under one umbrella to simplify and enhance investment funding across Europe. The programme consists of three components: the InvestEU Fund, the InvestEU Advisory Hub, and the InvestEU Portal. The InvestEU Fund, backed by an EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion, enhances the investment capacity of implementing partners, mobilising at least €372 billion in additional investments.
The EIB’s loan to ACA Pescara exemplifies the bank’s commitment to enhancing water infrastructure and environmental sustainability across Italy. With substantial financing directed towards resilience and efficiency, the project underscores the importance of strategic investment in addressing climate change and improving public utilities.
