Italy needs to "increase the rate and depth of building renovation, specifically of worst-performing buildings", the European Commission said on Wednesday, in a chapter dedicated to Italy in its annual State of the Energy Union report. The social repercussions of the poor energy performance of the Italian residential sector shed light on the "importance" of accelerating renovation, warned the EU. "In 2023, 4.1% of the total population was experiencing difficulties on paying their utility bills while 9.5% was not able to keep their home adequately warm during the cold periods of the year (with a mixed evolution compared to 2021, when such figures were, respectively, 6.5% and 8.1%), stressed the report. Source: Ansa News Agency