Saras in the Top 1000: energy, innovation and the strategic role of the island in the production system

On 4 June Cagliari hosted the final stage of the Top 1000, the Nuova Sardegna initiative which photographs the top thousand companies on the island by turnover. An event that brought together institutions, companies and representatives of the productive world to discuss Sardinia’s competitiveness, infrastructure and development prospects.

Enrico Giglioli, Chief New Initiatives and Renewables Officer of Saras, spoke on the panel dedicated to businesses, bringing the company’s point of view at a time of strong transformation in the energy sector.

Energy, stability and strategic role of the Sarroch site

Giglioli recalled how global demand for petroleum products continues to grow, also driven by emerging phenomena such as artificial intelligence, advanced logistics and e-commerce. «World consumption by 2040 will remain substantially in line with current consumption», he explained, underlining that petroleum products will continue to play an important role in the energy mix.

At the center of the intervention is the strategic value of the Sarroch site: for over twenty-five years it has guaranteed approximately half of the electricity consumed in Sardinia, contributing to the stability of the network in an island territory. «The continuity of the electricity supply is essential for the island, and our cogeneration plant plays a decisive role», he highlighted.

Energy transition: concrete projects and advanced technologies
The Saras manager illustrated the projects that the company is carrying out to accompany the energy transition:

• Synthetic fuels (e‑fuel): the first Italian industrial demonstrator for the production of synthetic fuels using captured CO₂ and hydrogen, developed within the PNRR, is starting up.
• Biofuels: in 2026 production will reach approximately 80,000 tonnes of bio-equivalent fuel, intended for diesel, petrol and LPG.
• Synthetic gas: for years the site has been producing a clean gas, derived from the heavy fraction of petroleum refining, which is then used to produce hydrogen, steam and electricity.

«These are technologies that require long-term research, development and investments», he underlined.

Investments and skills: an internationally recognized industrial presence
The 2025 recorded the highest level of investments in the last five years, confirming the Group’s desire to maintain the refinery at the highest operating standards.

Giglioli also recalled the value of the skills of Saras people and related companies: «The professionalism that operates in Sarroch is recognized and appreciated at an international level. It is a global activity, which communicates every day with the main operators in the sector».

The other Sardinian companies
Abbanoa, Cantine Argiolas, Imi Remosa and Conad also spoke on the panel. From their contributions a common picture emerged: insularity, logistics costs, energy and infrastructure remain the main factors that impact the competitiveness of Sardinian companies.

President Todde’s conclusions
Closing the morning was the President of the Region, Alessandra Todde, who recalled the need to strengthen competitiveness, infrastructure and productivity, but also to overcome a narrative that penalizes the island.
The President underlined that Sardinia «does a lot, produces value and competes like other territories». A message of trust and shared responsibility, aimed both at institutions and at the business system.