SET Distribuzione

What SET Distribuzione does

SET Distribuzione SpA is a regulated Italian electricity distribution system operator (DSO) headquartered in Rovereto (Trento), operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gruppo Dolomiti Energia. The company holds an exclusive ARERA-regulated concession to manage the low- and medium-voltage distribution network across approximately 84% of Trentino province's municipalities, serving more than 337,000 end customers (households, businesses, public administration, and energy producers) through 12,000+ km of networks, 30 primary cabins, and 4,000+ secondary transformer substations. Revenue is generated primarily through regulated network tariffs and metering tariffs set by ARERA based on efficient cost recovery and quality-performance incentives, with end users paying SET indirectly via their energy supplier rather than on a transactional basis. The business model is structurally a regulated monopoly with revenue upside tied directly to service-quality benchmarks (interruption frequency and duration).

The company's product portfolio spans four core service lines: (1) regulated electricity distribution (Distribuzione energia elettrica); (2) second-generation smart metering via the proprietary SmartEcoMeter 2G platform in three variants (GEMIS monophase, GETIS three-phase up to 33 kW, GESIS three-phase semi-direct above 33 kW), supporting 15-minute interval reads, bidirectional measurement for prosumers, and home-automation integration, with physical shells produced from 100% recycled plastic; (3) integrated remote control via the Centro di Telecontrollo Integrato, a 24/7/365 facility monitoring electricity, water, gas, and district-heating infrastructure across the Dolomiti Energia group; and (4) measurement services (Misura) for meter data collection, validation, and provision to energy vendors. The company also handles grid connection for photovoltaic and renewable producers under ARERA's simplified procedures (Delibera 361/2023/R/eel for systems up to 20 kW).

SET is investing aggressively to modernize and decarbonize its concession asset base: roughly €90M was spent on network improvements during 2020–2022; a €44M program is rolling out 380,000+ SmartEcoMeter 2G units between 2022 and 2025; and a €100M+ 2023–2027 strategic plan targets energy security and transition in Trentino. The company has ranked #1 nationally in ARERA service-quality awards for four consecutive years (2019–2022), earning cumulative quality prizes of €3.6M, and is a founding member of the Open Power Grids Association and a member of the EU DSO Entity. Strategic partnerships include Siemens Energy Transformers and Nynas (biodegradable NYTRO BIO 300X transformer oil), a five-utility worker-safety alliance, and ENAIP Trentino for vocational training.

Name

SET Distribuzione

Legal name

SET Distribuzione Spa

Website

https://setdistribuzione.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SET Distribuzione is an Italian regulated electricity distribution operator serving more than 337,000 residential, business, and public-administration customers across 160+ Trentino municipalities through 12,000 km of networks and proprietary SmartEcoMeter 2G smart meters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electricity Distribution / Utility Network Services

NAICS

Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Electric Power Distribution (221122)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Metering & Grid Measurement (Smart Meters, CT/VT, PQ Meters) (IMAGAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

SCADA & Telemetry Software (Control Center) (EUADAEAD), Outage Management, Fault Detection & Restoration (OMS/FLISR Edge) (EUADAPAN), Meter Installation, Exchange & Field Services (EUADAFAF), System Operations & Control Centers (EMS/SCADA for Transmission) (EUADAAAG)

Keywords

• Electricity distribution services
• Smart metering infrastructure
• Medium voltage networks
• Regulated utility operations
• Renewable grid connection

Headquarters

HQ city

Rovereto

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Electricity Distribution Services: SET Distribuzione operates as a regulated distribution system operator (DSO) under ARERA (Autorità di Regolazione per Energia Reti e Ambiente) regulation. The company earns revenue through regulated network tariffs for transporting and delivering electricity to end consumers in its concession area covering most of Trentino province. Revenue is determined by regulatory formulas that reward quality performance (service continuity metrics).
2. Smart Metering Services: Installation and maintenance of electricity meters (both first generation and SmartEcoMeter 2G), with costs recovered through regulated metering tariffs. The company manages meter data collection, validation, and provision to energy sellers (vendors).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SET Distribuzione operates the regulated electricity distribution network across approximately 84% of Trentino municipalities, transporting and delivering electricity through 12,000+ km of medium voltage (20 kV) and low voltage (230-400V) networks. The company installs and maintains the SmartEcoMeter 2G smart metering fleet (over 380,000 units), runs an integrated 24/7 Telecontrollo (remote control) center for real-time fault monitoring, and provides grid connection services to residential, business, industrial, public administration, and renewable energy producer customers under ARERA regulatory oversight.

Product overview

SET Distribuzione operates as an electricity distribution company managing infrastructure across Trentino, Italy. The product portfolio centers on SmartEcoMeter, their second-generation smart metering system comprising three variants (GEMIS, GETIS, GESIS) for different connection types, alongside core distribution, remote control (Telecontrollo), and measurement (Misura) services. The company manages approximately 12,000 km of networks serving over 330,000 customers in 160+ municipalities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartEcoMeter: Second-generation electricity meter that allows users to improve energy efficiency. Features include consumption detection every 15 minutes, 100% recycled plastic casing, and ability to communicate with other technologies for home automation services.

Products and services

• Distribuzione Energia Elettrica (Electricity Distribution Service) Regulated transport and delivery of electricity across over 160 Trentino municipalities, managing approximately 12,000 km of medium and low voltage networks, 30 primary cabins, and over 4,000 secondary transformer substations to serve more than 330,000 customers.
• SmartEcoMeter (Second Generation Smart Metering System) Second-generation smart electricity meter system available in three variants (GEMIS monophase for domestic/small commercial, GETIS three-phase up to 33 kW, GESIS three-phase semi-direct above 33 kW) offering 15-minute consumption reads, bidirectional measurement for photovoltaic producers, home automation connectivity, and 100% recycled-plastic fully-recyclable enclosures.
• Telecontrollo (Integrated Remote Control Service) 24/7/365 remote monitoring and control center for the Dolomiti Energia group's production and distribution networks (electricity, water, gas, district heating), enabling real-time fault detection and remote intervention to reduce service disruption duration and number of customers affected.
• Misura (Electricity Measurement Service)

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.1 average interruptions per customer in 2022, vs. ARERA standards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Open Power Grids AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSET Distribuzione is a founding member of the Open Power Grids Association, together with major Italian distribution operators including Enel Grids, Areti, Ireti, and industrial partners including CESI, ABB, Hitachi Energy Italia, thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel, and Tratos. The association aims to develop and adopt increasingly sustainable functional specifications for electrical networks, promoting decarbonization, circular materials, and low CO2 emissions in grid infrastructure.
• EU DSO EntitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSET Distribuzione joined the EU DSO Entity, the European association of electricity distribution operators established under EU Regulation 2019/943. The entity provides representation within European institutions and facilitates dialogue and coordination among European distributors for sustainable development of smart cities.
• Siemens Energy TransformersflagshipTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Siemens Energy Transformers to test NYTRO BIO 300X biodegradable transformer oil in a power transformer at the Nembia Primary Cabin near Adamello-Brenta Natural Park. The first such deployment in Italy of organic-based transformer oil, reducing CO2 emissions by 18 tonnes annually compared to conventional mineral oil.
• NynasflagshipTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with Nynas to supply NYTRO BIO 300X biodegradable and recyclable transformer oil, developed without using food crops and representing next-generation insulating fluids replacing traditional mineral oils.
• Safety Alliance (AcegasApsAmga, Deval, E-Distribuzione, Edyna)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive Italian distribution operators formed an alliance for sharing best safety practices among field technicians. SET contributed the 'BOSS' (Behavioral Safety) project to the alliance which also includes AcegasApsAmga Trieste, Deval Valle d'Aosta, E-Distribuzione, and Edyna Bolzano.
• ENAIP TrentinominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership with ENAIP for vocational training, specifically for electrical safety education. The collaboration involves students from ENAIP training centers in Cles and Villazzano, with SET personnel providing hands-on training on workplace safety culture and practices.
• Dolomiti Energia GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSET Distribuzione is a subsidiary of the Dolomiti Energia Group, operating alongside other group companies managing electricity, water, gas, and district heating services. The group enables synergies in infrastructure management and shared services including the integrated telecontrollo center.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• e-distribuzione (Enel Grids): Italy's largest electricity distribution system operator, serving tens of millions of customers nationwide. Directly comparable to SET Distribuzione in core DSO activity (network management, smart metering, grid connections) and a fellow member of the Open Power Grids Association; differs only by national scale.
• Ireti: Electricity (and gas) distribution subsidiary of the Iren Group operating in northern Italy under ARERA oversight. Directly comparable as a regulated multi-utility DSO; co-member of Open Power Grids with SET and similarly active in smart grid and EU DSO initiatives.
• Unareti: A2A Group's electricity distribution arm serving northern Italian municipalities under ARERA regulation. Comparable as a regulated multi-utility DSO focused on grid modernization, smart metering roll-outs, and renewable connection services similar to SET Distribuzione.
• AcegasApsAmga: Multi-utility serving Trieste and surrounding areas, including electricity distribution under ARERA. Comparable to SET as a regulated regional DSO and co-member of the Italian distribution Safety Alliance.
• Inrete Distribuzione Energia: Hera Group's regulated electricity distribution operator in Emilia-Romagna. Directly comparable as a multi-utility DSO operating MV/LV networks and smart metering under ARERA, with a similar customer-count and regional-concession profile to SET.
• Deval: Electricity DSO operating the Valle d'Aosta concession under ARERA regulation. Directly comparable as a small, regional, mountain-terrain Italian DSO and member of the same Safety Alliance as SET Distribuzione.
• Edyna: Electricity DSO in the South Tyrol (Alto Adige) region owned by Alperia, operating under ARERA and serving a similar Alpine, multi-municipal concession. Directly comparable to SET as a neighboring regional DSO with similar scale, terrain, and regulatory dynamics.
• Areti: Rome-area electricity DSO owned by the Acea group, operating medium and low voltage networks under ARERA regulation. Directly comparable as a regulated Italian DSO and co-founding member of the Open Power Grids Association alongside SET Distribuzione.

Emerging players

• Landis+Gyr: Global leader in smart electricity metering solutions, supplying utilities including Italian DSOs. Comparable to SET's SmartEcoMeter 2G business in technology and use case (AMI, 15-minute readings, bidirectional metering), but as a vendor/technology peer rather than a regulated DSO.

Others

• Gruppo Dolomiti Energia (parent): Parent conglomerate of SET Distribuzione operating generation, water, gas, and district heating businesses in Trentino. Comparable as the integrated upstream/sister group whose services SET's Telecontrollo center monitors, and which determines SET's strategic capital allocation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SET Distribuzione