The Italian Government aims to approve a law for investment in nuclear energy
The Italian Government is pushing forward new legislation to reestablish nuclear energy in the country, specifically through investment in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with the goal of reducing CO2 emissions. According to information published by the Financial Times and collected by NucNet, this initiative could materialize within ten years. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni leads this proposal, which aims to decrease Italy's reliance on imported fossil fuels.
The Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, stated to the Financial Times that nuclear energy should represent at least 11% of Italy's total electricity consumption by 2050. The new law will facilitate investment in SMRs, a technology Italy considers crucial for ensuring a continuous and clean energy supply.
Italy aims to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels and to reembrace nuclear energy
Public opinion and youth support
Earlier this year, the Italian government conducted a survey to gauge public opinion on nuclear energy. The results, NucNet explains, showed a significant increase in support, with 54% of Italians in favor of nuclear energy. This support is particularly strong among the youth, with 63% of those under 35 years in favor, compared to 47% among those over 55.
Minister Fratin noted that this acceptance reflects greater awareness of the need for clean and reliable energy sources. "To guarantee continuity in clean energies, we must include a share of nuclear energy," Fratin emphasized, highlighting the limitations of renewable sources like solar and wind.
Minister of Energy: "To guarantee continuity in clean energies, we must include a share of nuclear energy
Nuclear history in Italy
Italy was one of the pioneers in nuclear energy, operating four commercial nuclear power plants -Caorso, Enrico Fermi, Garigliano, and Latina- that provided nearly 5% of the country's electricity at their peak in 1986-1987. However, following the Chernobyl accident and a series of referendums, Italy banned nuclear energy, permanently closing and dismantling all its commercial reactors by 1990.
Future plans and business strategies
In 2023, the Italian Parliament supported the government's plan to include nuclear energy in the national energy mix as part of its decarbonization efforts. This decision has prompted companies like Edison and EDF to develop strategic plans to reintroduce nuclear energy using SMR technology. This nuclear revival is part of a broader strategy to achieve long-term sustainability and energy security goals in Italy, Nuclear News Agency informs.
