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Italy Senate approves nuclear energy delegation bill

The Italian Senate has passed a landmark bill delegating nuclear energy policy to the government, marking a significant shift in the country’s energy strategy nearly 40 years after the 1987 referendum that ended its nuclear program. The legislation provides a regulatory framework for the return of sustainable nuclear power but does not immediately authorize the construction of new plants.

The government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, intends to use this delegation to develop rules for reactor licensing, safety standards, radioactive waste management, and site selection within the next 12 months. The strategy focuses on next-generation technologies, specifically small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs), rather than the large-scale plants of the past. Officials suggest that the first new facilities could become operational between 2033 and 2034.

Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin described the approval as a “historic day,” stating that sustainable nuclear energy, alongside renewables, will make Italy more secure, independent, and competitive. The move aims to reduce reliance on energy imports and address rising electricity demand from sectors like data centers and artificial intelligence. Additionally, the government has planned 60 million euros for fusion research between 2027 and 2029. While the government views this as a necessary step for energy autonomy, opposition parties have raised concerns regarding costs, waste management, and the commercial maturity of the proposed technologies.

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Chamber of Deputies · Gilberto Pichetto Fratin · Giorgia Meloni · Italian Senate · Italy · Ministry of Environment and Energy Security · Movimento 5 Stelle · Vannia Gava

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