Team up to make an impact where decisions matter

Interview with Roberto Martino – President of Prosiel

Mr. President, only a few months have passed since your appointment as head of Prosiel—just enough time to define an action plan consistent with the association’s 25-year history. What priorities do you intend to address, and what role should Prosiel play within the highly fragmented network of associations in the sector?

I didn’t accept this position as an honorary title, but rather with the intention of updating the role of the association and ensuring that—by remaining above the parties and respecting the identity of each of its components—it can create the conditions to address the growing challenges faced by the electrical sector in buildings.

I believe our role is to act as a unifying force, bringing together shared positions to present to decision-makers.

The goals are certainly ambitious, but Prosiel can become a key platform for collaboration and dialogue among the industry’s main stakeholders. That’s the direction I’m working toward.

What is the context we’re operating in? Several crucial turning points are underway, all highly relevant for the country—starting with the implementation of EPBD4.

Improving energy efficiency and electrifying the building stock is an essential and unavoidable step toward enhancing building performance. It is a real opportunity—driven by the European directive—that Italy must seize to modernize its existing buildings, especially considering that over 60% of households in Italy live in homes built before 1980, and that three-quarters of the national building stock needs energy retrofitting, being classified as F or G energy class.

What role does the electrical sector play in achieving the goals set by the European Union?

The objectives we aim to achieve are certainly challenging, both in terms of technical complexity and economic impact. However, thanks to the availability of smart technologies—allowing more rational energy use, improving system performance, and offering solutions aligned with changing lifestyle habits and consumer needs—these goals represent a concrete opportunity.

To ensure the renovation of both residential and non-residential buildings, public and private, and to transform them into zero-emission buildings, we need a strategic vision that enables effective intervention in two main areas: the “building envelope” and the “systems”—with the electrical infrastructure playing a key role as the enabling layer for managing technologies inside buildings.

How has the perception of electrical infrastructure changed, at least among professionals?

Electrical infrastructure is becoming increasingly central in buildings, thanks to its ability to support integrated ecosystems with smart, interoperable digital services that provide comfort and safety, while also making buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable.

It would be a serious mistake to simply promote fully electric devices—like heat pumps, induction hobs, or EV charging stations—without considering that current infrastructure is outdated and was designed for different needs. We clearly face an infrastructure issue that must be addressed with strategic foresight.

A new culture must emerge—one that prioritizes safety and efficiency as prerequisites for any energy policy.

This is a complex journey, but it offers clear positive impacts on the existing building stock and an opportunity to address long-neglected issues in Italy, such as safety, technological innovation, and maintenance of electrical systems.

And this is where Prosiel’s core mission comes into play: electrical safety…

Unfortunately, many homes in Italy still lack an electrical system that is safe, efficient, or even functional. And very few users are truly aware of the importance of the electrical system in the home. This is also confirmed by the Italian National Fire Corps, which reports that 30% of domestic fires have an electrical cause.

A decisive lever for change is increasing public awareness of the importance of having safe, updated, and regulation-compliant electrical systems. When people understand the risks of outdated systems and appreciate their value in terms of safety, efficiency, and real estate worth, they themselves become agents of innovation. Only through this widespread awareness can we create the demand needed to trigger a virtuous cycle involving citizens, professionals, and institutions.

How can this awareness be developed?

A nationwide communication campaign is needed to spread a culture of safety, energy efficiency, and rational use of electricity in homes. Promoting the adoption of innovative technologies that ensure higher standards, better performance, and added value—both in terms of usability and property valuation—is an essential challenge.

This commitment is a key step in building a country that places sustainability—social, environmental, and economic—at its core.

Where should we start?

Looking ahead, it is essential to have a clear, realistic, and up-to-date picture of the situation. Unlike thermal systems, there is currently no registry of electrical installations in Italy that would allow for the collection, management, and updating of data on existing systems. As a result, we don’t know the real condition of most domestic electrical systems and can’t properly assess the scope of necessary interventions.

We also lack clear and binding regulations requiring periodic maintenance and inspections of home electrical systems.

Allowing consumers to freely increase their contracted electrical capacity—often with a simple request to their energy provider—without verifying whether the home’s electrical system can handle the load is unacceptable.

Current legislation is not fit to support the transformation underway.

In particular, the regulatory framework needs urgent revision. Its primary reference, Ministerial Decree 37/2008, dates back to 2008. This is especially important in light of the objectives set by the new EPBD directive. But to build an effective regulatory framework and launch targeted initiatives without wasting resources, a comprehensive vision is needed—something that has been missing until now.

My hope is to initiate a discussion table among the key stakeholders along the value chain—from manufacturers to consumers—and institutions. This is the main goal I have set for my term.

Change must happen on a large scale, involving institutions, businesses, and citizens in a joint effort to promote safe, advanced electrical systems and increase the value of our homes.

Sustainable buildings offer not only environmental but also economic and social benefits.

The transformation has begun—now it’s time to accelerate.

To conclude: in November, Prosiel will be a partner of Smart Building Expo, one of the leading European trade fairs in the field of home and building automation, within the MIBA – Milan International Building Alliance framework. What value do you see in events like this, and what will be your contribution?

I believe events like Smart Building Expo are unmissable opportunities for all industry players—not only for business but to understand where the sector is heading. I also think Italy needs moments like this, where the supply chain comes together, engages in dialogue, and chooses a shared direction.

Our contribution will be to make that vision a reality: bringing together the key players in the supply chain to present a united perspective and develop a common strategy. That would be something entirely new for a country like Italy.