Our History

New growth path: Innovation, technology and sustainability
In 2020, Acea was the first Italian multiutility to activate a vaccine hub at the service of the community during the Covid-19 health emergency.
In 2021, Acea Energia entered the business of electric mobility recharging services by way of a dedicated app. Furthermore, testing of the Acea Elabori “Acea Smart Comp” project was completed, with the installation of the first diffused composting plants. During the same year the Group developed the Acea Immersive Museum (Museo Immersivo Acea – MIA), a digital interactive platform promoting the company’s historic heritage.
In 2022, Areti revamped its brand identity by restyling the logo and constructed a new high-voltage power line, to the south west of Rome, boosting capacity on the existing line (from 60KV to 150KV) and enabling a considerable estimated reduction in CO2 emissions.
Acea Ambiente continued to expand in the area of waste treatment and management also through various acquisitions. Furthermore, the company obtained the go-ahead for construction of the fourth line for the San Vittore waste-to-energy facility, thereby increasing the plant’s capacity. Again during 2022, Acea and ASM Terni created a multiutility in the Umbria Region active in integrated water services, electricity and gas distribution and supply and waste treatment.
Acea increased its power generation from green sources, with particular reference to photovoltaic energy.

Towards an increasingly digital, innovative and sustainable company
Our introduction of the Workforce Management (WFM) system, a digital computerised platform, enabled the real-time coordination and monitoring of all Acea Group activities. We created MyAcea, the reserved online area whereby water, electricity and gas utilities can be managed from a single account, without the need to visit a branch office.
In 2017, through the Acea Business Plan, a strategy was introduced aimed at strongly supporting infrastructural and technological investments in the water and electricity sectors, with special attention to sustainable development for the environment and for people.
During the same year Acea dealt with one of the most serious water crises. Extraordinary maintenance interventions ensured continuity of the service for residents also thanks to an awareness campaign for responsible resource management.
The logo’s restyling launched Acea into the digital world.
During the year 2019 Acea made its entry into the gas distribution sector and laid the bases for construction of the Peschiera Aqueduct’s second line, thereby securing the Capital’s water requirements. Moreover, Acea Innovation was set up, a company operating in value-added services for ecological transition and electric mobility. Following the finalisation of photovoltaic plant acquisitions, Acea resumed its growth in the renewable energy market, with the aim of contributing to decarbonisation and energy transition, and entered the plastic treatment segment, confirming the role performed in the waste treatment cycle.

The new trademark and entry into the overseas market
The year 2000 saw Acea’s entry into the overseas market, with the construction and concession of a water plant in Lima. In 2001 Acea took over the Enel electricity distribution network in Rome. In the same year, as business consortium leader, Acea was awarded the management of the integrated water service in Campania for Ato (“Optimal Territorial Area”) 3 Sarnese-Vesuviano and in Tuscany for Ato 2 (Pisa) and Ato 6 (Grosseto-Siena). In 2002, the company won the tender for Ato 3 (Florence), as well as for the management of Ato 5 Southern Lazio - Frosinone.
In 2006 Acea entered the waste treatment and valorisation sector.

Listing on the stock market
In 1991, the Municipality transformed Acea into a special Company and, on 1 January 1998, the SpA was incorporated. From 19 July 1999, Acea SpA was admitted to listing on the Italian Stock Exchange and began an intense spin-off process. In 1993, the Eur water centre came into operation. In implementation of the Galli law, Acea was identified as the integrated water service provider for Ato 2 Lazio. In 1996, the new Tor di Valle combined cycle power plant came into operation.

Waste treatment and cogeneration
In 1985, Acea took over the management of the capital's waste water treatment. In 1984, the Tor di Valle cogeneration power plant came on stream for the production of thermal energy for residential district heating as regards the district area of Torrino Sud. In 1989, the company took over the management of public lighting. In 1989, Acea changed its name to Azienda comunale dell’energia e dell’ambiente (Municipal Energy and Environment Company).

The creation of a great aqueduct system
Acea continued to optimise its distribution system: it built receiver substations, transformer centres and launched the remote control of the mains network. It increased its commitment in the water sector and reclaimed the city's outer suburbs.  In September 1976, Acea's redevelopment plan was approved for sanitary installations and road lighting in 82 of Rome's outer suburbs. In 1979, the Peschiera-Capore aqueduct system, one of the largest in Europe, was constructed.

Strengthening our position in the drinking water sector
In 1962, the Company moved its head office to Piazzale Ostiense. It continued to increase public lighting throughout the city of Rome. When the licence to the Company Acqua Pia Antica Marcia expired, the municipal council of Rome assigned the management of the Marcio aqueduct to Acea. On 7 November, the Water Board confirmed Acea as drinking water service operator for the Capital.

Corporate plans for the city
On 30 March 1953, the city Council approved Acea's plan to make the city electrically self-sufficient and to improve the residents' water system, including: new electricity stations and receiver substations, water power plants, the completion of the Peschiera aqueduct, the search for new aquifers and the construction of other aqueducts.  In preparation for the Rome Olympics of 1960, Acea modernised the public lighting systems in the capital.

The war and the struggle to recover
8 May 1940 saw the inauguration of the Salisano hydroelectric power plant, built in a cave along the route of the Peschiera aqueduct. During the war, the electricity generation plants suffered severe damage. However, the company technicians were soon able to restore them. By the end of 1945, the former Agea, now Acea (Municipal Electricity and Water Company) guaranteed a regular supply of electricity. In 1949, the Peschiera aqueduct came into operation.

Acquisition of the water service
In view of the growing demand for electricity due to the city's considerable rise in population and increase in building work, in 1931-1933 Aeg expanded the Montemartini power plant. On 2 September 1937, the Rome Governorship assigned the management of the municipal aqueducts and the construction and management of the Peschiera aqueduct to Aeg, which changed its name to Agea, Gubernatorial Electricity and Water Company.

The construction of the power plants
In 1926, Aem became Aeg, Electricity Company for the Governorship of Rome. The city street lights increased to almost 18 thousand, approximately 13 thousand more than in 1915 and the Castel Madama power plant was upgraded. A year later, another hydroelectric power plant, Galileo Ferraris, began operating in Mandela.

The foundation of the AEM
AEM, Municipal Electric Company of the Municipality of Rome was created in order to supply energy for public and private lighting. 1912 saw the inauguration of the Power Plant in Via Ostiense, which would subsequently be named after the Councillor for Technology in the Nathan Executive Committee, Giovanni Montemartini.