Key facts
- Italy's government is preparing to reintroduce nuclear power, decades after abandoning the technology.
- The move is driven by concerns for energy security and climate change goals.
- Parliament is expected to approve legislation establishing a legal framework for next-generation nuclear technologies.
- The government plans to focus on small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced technologies.
- Past referendums in 1987 and after the 2011 Fukushima disaster led to Italy abandoning nuclear power.
- Public support for nuclear power is higher among younger generations.
- Finding suitable locations for reactors and waste storage presents a significant political challenge.
Italy's government is advancing plans to reintroduce nuclear power, a significant reversal decades after the Chernobyl disaster led to the country abandoning the technology. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration is seeking to enhance energy security and meet climate goals by leveraging support from a younger generation that views nuclear power as a source of low-carbon electricity.
Parliament is expected to approve legislation that will establish a legal framework for next-generation nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs). Following parliamentary approval, the government will have 12 months to draft specific decrees on licensing, safety, waste management, and site selection. Minister for the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin stated the government's duty is to create conditions for future decisions on installations.
Italy was an early pioneer in nuclear energy, but a 1987 referendum effectively ended its program. A subsequent attempt to revive nuclear power was thwarted by the 2011 Fukushima disaster, with a referendum seeing about 94% of voters oppose new reactors. The current push is framed as necessary due to rising electricity demand, climate targets, and energy security concerns exacerbated by global conflicts.
The government's strategy focuses on SMRs and advanced reactor designs, which proponents claim are safer, more flexible, and quicker to build than older large-scale plants. Pichetto Fratin projects the first next-generation reactors could be operational between 2033 and 2035. Globally, nuclear power accounts for about 10% of electricity generation and a quarter of low-carbon power, with many countries expanding their nuclear capacity.
Public opinion on nuclear power in Italy is divided, with younger generations showing greater enthusiasm, associating it with technological progress and climate solutions. A recent survey indicated about 55% of Italians support next-generation nuclear plants. However, concerns persist regarding the economics, with critics questioning the high costs of SMRs and the availability of private investment. Estimates suggest a single 300-megawatt SMR could cost between €3 billion and €6 billion before additional infrastructure expenses.
The most significant political hurdle is identifying suitable locations for new reactors and waste storage facilities. Italy currently lacks a national repository for its existing nuclear waste. Any proposed sites are likely to face strong local opposition, and opponents may seek new referendums once specific plans emerge. Surveys indicate that while overall support for nuclear power exists, it diminishes significantly when people are asked about accepting a reactor in their own province.