Italy is embarking on a significant and potentially transformative energy policy shift, reversing decades of anti-nuclear sentiment to embrace unproven next-generation nuclear technology. This audacious strategy, championed by Giorgia Meloni’s government, represents a high-stakes gamble aimed at meeting soaring electricity demands and achieving ambitious decarbonization targets, positioning nuclear power as a pivotal component of the nation’s future energy mix.
For over 35 years, Italy has remained non-nuclear, a consequence of referendums following the Chernobyl disaster that led to the closure of all its plants by 1990. However, the current administration views this historical stance as an impediment to energy independence and a sustainable energy transition, actively drawing up legislative plans to reintroduce nuclear power, specifically through innovative Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs).
The legislative framework for this nuclear renaissance has already cleared critical institutional hurdles and is poised for parliamentary approval, signaling the government’s unwavering commitment. Officials project an ambitious timeline, with the first of these new plants potentially becoming operational as early as the end of this decade or in the nascent years of the 2030s, underscoring the urgency and strategic importance placed on this energy initiative.
However, this bold pivot is not without its critics, who raise concerns about the substantial economic impact and potential for increased power bills for Italian consumers, already among Europe’s highest. Conversely, proponents argue that integrating nuclear energy is indispensable for managing escalating energy demand, which is projected to double by 2050, and could unlock billions of euros in new energy investment, stimulating significant economic growth within the sector.
The chosen technologies, SMRs and AMRs, represent a significant leap in nuclear engineering. SMRs leverage miniaturized, factory-produced components to achieve economies of scale and potentially lower construction costs, while AMRs promise further innovation by utilizing spent fuel from other reactors, theoretically reducing nuclear waste. Yet, both technologies are largely unproven in Western Europe, with prior attempts, such as an SMR project in the U.S., experiencing significant cost overruns, highlighting the inherent risks in this strategic energy policy.
Beyond the technical and economic considerations, the government’s embrace of nuclear energy is also influenced by political strategy and lobbying interests. It offers a pathway to circumvent local permitting challenges that often delay renewable energy projects, appealing to regional governments. Moreover, major national industrial champions, often closely linked to the state, have a greater stake in large-scale nuclear projects compared to the generally smaller developers in the renewable sector.
In the broader context of Italy’s energy transition, nuclear power is envisioned as a crucial “baseload” source, providing a continuous, steady supply of decarbonized energy to the grid. This consistent output is essential to complement the inherent variability of renewable sources like solar and wind, ensuring grid stability even when natural conditions are not optimal for green energy production. Experts suggest nuclear energy could be financially competitive with renewables when accounting for the extensive supplementary infrastructure, such as batteries, required to make intermittent sources fully reliable.
Despite estimates suggesting nuclear power could yield billions in cost savings compared to an all-renewables strategy, Italy’s central bank indicates that while nuclear might stabilize electricity prices, it is unlikely to generate direct savings. The government’s determination to pursue this path, despite past referendums and ongoing debates, underscores a strategic resolve to redefine Italy’s energy independence and secure a reliable, decarbonized future, even amidst the complexities of pioneering unproven technologies.
