This is a good move - the region has been long regarded as...

This is a good move - the region has been long regarded as highly prospective for geothermal energy and the potential for Li would be icing on the cake. Even without Li new geothermal power generation in Italy should be profitable as the country tries to move away from imported gas.

However there's a reason why geothermal power has not developed in Lazio in parallel with developments in Tuscany to the north - and that is people power. Local people historically have not wanted to see giant cooling towers degrading their landscapes and have been very effective in preventing any geothermal power developments in Lazio.

Perhaps the politics are changing now as the gas issue is becoming more significant, and new power station technology has less visual and environmental impact. Given the good benefit-cost outlook I think it is quite reasonable for AZI to test the mood.