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Italy nuclear energy policy shift

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2026-09-24 05:24 UTC → 2026-09-24 17:16 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Italy is moving toward reversing its long-standing anti-nuclear policy to enhance energy security and industrial competitiveness. Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin has indicated that the country is considering a return to nuclear energy production by 2035, citing high electricity costs, geopolitical instability, and the need to support the electrification of transport and AI-driven data center expansion. The Italian Senate has officially approved legislation delegating the development of sustainable nuclear energy to the government. The measure passed with 81 votes in favor, 51 against, and seven abstentions. This legislation marks a significant shift in the nation’s energy policy after nearly forty years. The bill does not authorize immediate construction but mandates the creation of a regulatory framework within 12 months. This framework will address reactor licensing, safety standards, waste management, and site selection, with a specific focus on next-generation technologies such as small modular reactors ~~(SMRs)~~ (SMRs), advanced modular reactors (AMRs), and nuclear fusion. The Meloni administration aims to have the first facilities operational around 2033-2034. To support long-term innovation, the government also plans to allocate 60 million euros for fusion research between 2027 and 2029. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the Senate’s decision as a ‘courageous and sensible choice’ aimed at bolstering energy security and meeting climate goals. While Minister Pichetto Fratin called the approval a ‘historic day’ for Italy’s energy independence, opposition members, including the Five Star Movement and Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra, have criticized the move. Critics argue the decision ignores previous public referendums and raised concerns regarding economic costs and the management of radioactive waste.

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