Italy's return to nuclear power: government approves key law

The Italian government adopted a law last Friday that sets the country on course to return to nuclear power, just under 40 years after a referendum led to a decision to end its nuclear programme at the time. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the law as an important step towards energy security and self-sufficiency.

The law, which must be approved by the Italian parliament, gives the government a mandate to adopt the specific legislation needed to restart the use of nuclear energy. Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin told international news agency Reuters that he expects the process to be completed by the end of 2027.

"The government has adopted another important measure to ensure clean, safe and affordable energy that will guarantee energy security and strategic independence," Meloni said.

The country aims to use advanced nuclear reactors. With an 11% share of the electricity mix, they are expected to generate savings of 17 billion euros by 2050 as the economy is decarbonised. According to the national climate and energy plan, nuclear power could account for as much as 22%.

Currently, gas-fired power plants are Italy's main source of electricity. Last year, they accounted for 42.2% of total electricity generation.

Italy never completely left the nuclear sector

Italy was once a pioneer in the use of nuclear energy, establishing the first scientific body focused on the field in 1946. The country eventually had 4 nuclear reactors in operation, but the last two were shut down in 1990 following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Italy has tried to return to nuclear power before. In 2009, then Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced plans to invest in nuclear energy again, but later put them on hold. In 2011, several months after the accident at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, approximately 94.5% of Italians voted against building new reactors in another referendum.

The country has nevertheless retained key expertise in the nuclear sector. The state-owned energy company Enel operates nuclear power plants in Spain, while multinational oil company Eni is investing in a project focused on developing a fusion reactor in the United States.

International news agency Reuters also noted that Pichetto Fratin said last year that Italy was in talks with several companies, including US-based Westinghouse and France's EDF, as potential partners for a state-backed company that would build new nuclear reactors in Italy in the future.