How Techfem Consolidates its Expertise and Innovation to Meet Global Standards – Federico Ferrini
In this interview, Mr Federico Ferrini, CEO of Techfem, speaks with Ndubuisi Micheal Obineme, Managing Editor, The Energy Republic, about the company’s European presence and operational excellence across the energy, oil, and gas value chain.
Techfem is a fast‑growing Italian SME that is consolidating its expertise and innovation across the energy value chain to meet global standards. The company is a key player with a consistent track record on project development in the oil, natural gas, CCUS, hydrogen, and its derivatives, coupled with electrical networks, not only in Italy but also across Europe.
On the EPC side, Techfem is involved in engineering, procurement, installation, and commissioning of compression and storage systems for energy companies.
Excerpts:
TER: Congratulations to Techfem on opening a new office in Athens. How strategically important is Greece for your company’s operations in Europe?
Ferrini: The opening of our Greek branch represents an expansion of the boundaries of our business. The branch is conceived as a true laboratory for internationalization.
This hub serves as a strategic reference point for developing and strengthening existing commercial relationships with institutional clients in Greece and the Near East countries, bringing us closer to key markets and ensuring a direct presence in the region.
TER: How is Techfem transforming its service delivery to meet global standards in this era of energy transition? Which specific solutions is Techfem providing to decarbonize projects in onshore and offshore terrain?
Ferrini: Techfem is transforming its services to align with global standards and accelerate the energy transition. We are leading the development of hydrogen pipelines (both onshore and offshore) across the EMEA region, as well as designing CO₂ transportation networks in Italy and international CO₂ and ammonia pipelines.
We are focusing on the decarbonization technology, particularly on those that will meet the target of reducing the environmental impact of the energy sector.
Our focus areas include green gases and advanced technologies such as hydrogen, CO₂ Capture-Utilization-Storage (CCUS), waste-to-x, e-fuels, and e-SAF for transport.
We have invested in technologies for methane (CH₄) capture and recompression solutions, gaining international patents.
We are exploring new frontiers in electrification (Electrification of Everything – EOE) and nuclear energy, ensuring that Techfem remains at the forefront of decarbonization strategies for both offshore and onshore projects.
TER: Which major projects best describe the company’s capacity, innovation, and technical know-how?
Ferrini: Our portfolio is broad, but some recent and strategic projects best showcase our expertise and innovation.
We are contributing to our strong engineering capabilities to the feasibility and environmental studies on both onshore and offshore sections for the development of the Italian Hydrogen Backbone, part of Southern H₂ Corridor, which is one of the eight Energy Highways that the EU Commission will put large investments into.
We also had a primary role in the FSRU Ravenna LNG Terminal (fast-track execution project), providing the full design and site supervision of the onshore connection and environmental survey, together with the pre-commissioning of both the offshore pipeline and power cable connections.
On the EPC side, we are working on IdrogeMO, a renewable hydrogen production plant in Modena. We have completed Hyround in Sardinia, and are managing the engineering, procurement, installation, and commissioning of compression and storage systems for Italgas’ Power-to-Gas facility.
We are also working on H-Valley in Lamezia Terme, the sole large-scale Hydrogen Valley project in the Calabria Region.
Our experience also includes electrical interconnections, such as the Interconnector 2 IT-MT, a 220 kV subsea HVAC link between Sicily and Malta, and precommissioning campaigns for major international pipelines like TAP, Baltic Pipe, Ostsee LNG, and Fenix. These projects reflect Techfem’s technical know-how and ability to deliver complex solutions that support the energy transition.
TER: What role is Techfem playing in the Italian hydrogen industry?
Ferrini: We are one of the leading companies in Italy in the design of plants and transportation systems for hydrogen, with more than 70 projects delivered or currently in progress.
For these projects, we operate across the entire process, from the feasibility study, authorization acquisition, equipment & materials specifications, and design for construction up to the procurement and the erection phase, including performing the role of an EPC Contractor in some cases by integrating all the capabilities requested by our client along the project lifecycle.
Our business units’ teams have strong and cross-functional expertise in green gases, covering all phases of project development.
TER: How would you evaluate the business environment and regulatory frameworks for service providers in the Italian energy sector? What reforms would you recommend to the government to enhance industry competitiveness?
Ferrini: In the Italian energy sector, service providers — particularly those involved in renewable energy and emerging technologies like hydrogen operate in a complex environment shaped by evolving regulations, infrastructure investment needs, and ambitious decarbonization goals.
Italy’s current energy landscape offers dynamic growth opportunities, especially in the hydrogen and renewable sectors, bolstered by reforms like new market design, incentive schemes, and PNRR investment.
However, competitiveness remains hindered by permitting delays, regulatory uncertainty, and infrastructure bottlenecks.
To leverage full potential and support hydrogen industry goals, the government should:
- Prioritize rapid administrative streamlining,
- Develop long-term market frameworks (CfDs and offtake clarity),
- Accelerate grid and hydrogen infrastructure investment,
- Provide transparent, performance-based incentives,
- Harmonize with EU regulatory frameworks,
- Boost supply chain development through finance and training.
This strategic roadmap will help Italy transition efficiently toward a greener, more secure, and competitive energy future.
TER: What are Techfem’s main priorities in 2026 and beyond?
Ferrini: Our priority for 2026 is to consolidate our role as a key player in natural gas, CCUS development, hydrogen and its derivatives, and electrical networks, not only in Italy but also across Europe.
We are also very focused on the decarbonization initiatives deployed by the main European TSO for the methane capture and recompression along the gas transportation networks.
In parallel, we are investing in digital technologies in order to be able to deliver our clients a full design for their infrastructures and plants together with the digital twin, which will enable the owner to operate and maintain the assets.
The digitalization challenge will also be the integration of all the tools available (3D-Model, BIM, GIS, etc.) with AI in order to perform the design in the smartest possible way, searching for the maximum quality of the product and the effectiveness of the service deployment.
Thanks to its organization, innovative approach, and the deep know-how of the energy sector, Techfem is the best partner for TSO and Oil and Gas Companies in the implementation of their project both in Business-As-Usual and Transition fields.
These are the main challenges and objectives that will be outlined in our new industrial plan.
