The willingness to pay for Renewable Energy Sources (RES): the case of Italy with different survey approaches –an introductory analysis-

In reference to the Renewable Sources EU Directive 2001/77/CE the Italian goal, for 2010, is to attain the share of 22% in RES electricity production. In such context it becomes crucial to explore the existence of consumer’s Willingness to Pay in order to use green energy in the electricity production. This study is founded on a national survey made in November 2006. This paper focus much on 3 issues. First one, how the different elicitation affects respondents choices, second one on the relationship between a single point value and a valuation distribution and finally on the gaps between different formats as: bidding game and dichotomous referendum contingent valuation method. In all the elicitations formats I make a certainty correction proposing 5 degree of acceptance: definitely yes and no, probably yes and no and don’t know. In order to apply the quantitative analysis, the original dataset has been appropriately treated, recoding DK, PN and PY responses. With regard to the results I found a significant path dependences in respondents answers due to the elicitation formats. Another important result is that also in conservative way I found a substantial willingness of consumers to partially cover the cost of Italian RES goal.