Italy’s Council of Ministers is set to discuss a draft law that could mark the beginning of a nuclear energy comeback in the country, decades after referendums in 1987 and 2011 led to its phase-out, according to Euractiv.
The proposed legislation, to be debated in Friday’s cabinet meeting, aims to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for sustainable nuclear energy production, covering power generation, decommissioning of plants, radioactive waste management, as well as research into fusion energy and next-generation reactor technologies.
The move is part of a broader effort by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government to enhance Italy’s energy security, reduce energy costs, and support decarbonisation goals. Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin has been a vocal advocate for nuclear energy, which is already included in Italy’s National Integrated Plan for Energy and Climate.
The plan envisions nuclear power contributing between 11% and 22% of the country’s electricity by 2050.
The draft law is the first step in a lengthy process to finalise a consolidated nuclear code by 2027. While the specifics of the nuclear programme remain unclear, the government has expressed interest in advanced third- and fourth-generation reactors, particularly small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs).
The Italian nuclear programme is likely to be spearheaded by a new state-controlled company, potentially comprising energy giant Enel, nuclear engineering firm Ansaldo Nucleare, and aerospace and defence group Leonardo. The government is also in talks to select an international technology partner to support the development of next-generation nuclear technologies and revitalise Italy’s nuclear industry.
Experts attribute Italy’s high energy costs to its heavy reliance on natural gas, which makes the country vulnerable to price fluctuations, as well as bureaucratic obstacles that delay renewable energy projects and a general lack of energy independence.
The government hopes that nuclear energy, alongside renewable sources, will help stabilise energy prices and reduce Italy’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.
