He was born in 1947 in Bologna where he graduated in Political Science. In 1987 he became Associate Professor of Industrial Economy at Bologna University. In 1980 he founded the magazine "Energia" of which he is Editor. He is the author of many books and more than 100 essays and articles on industrial and energy economics and co-operates with several newspapers and economics magazines. In 1995 and 1996 he was Minister of Industry and Minister of Foreign Trade ad interim. He was also President of the European Union Board of Industry and Energy Ministers under the Italian Chairmanship half-year period. In 1996 he was awarded the title of Knight of Great Cross to the merit of the ItalianRepublic. Currently he is independent Director of ASM Brescia S.p.A. Societą Autostrade S.p.A. Italcementi S.p.A. and De Longhi S.p.A. Since May 1999 he is Director of Eni S.p.A..