Italy eyes small nuclear reactors near factories and data centers as public backing reaches 50%

Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said Italy could locate small nuclear reactors close to large‑energy consumers such as industrial parks and data‑center clusters, "near industrial areas or any reality of great consumption" in the north, centre or south of the country. He also addressed the future handling of nuclear waste, insisting that vitrified waste must return to Italy and that temporary storage will be arranged while a European geological repository is evaluated – noting that only Finland has advanced such a site.

A separate poll conducted by Renato Mannheimer reported that roughly half of Italians now favour nuclear power, with younger respondents more positive and older citizens more cautious. Mannheimer observed, "Il 50% degli italiani vuole il nucleare," and highlighted a partisan split, with the centre‑left showing more reluctance while the right expresses greater enthusiasm.