Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government is actively pursuing the reintroduction of nuclear power, aiming to alleviate high electricity bills that are approximately 30% higher than the European average, largely due to the country's reliance on gas imports. The strategy focuses on advanced technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs), which are touted for their enhanced safety features, faster construction times, and flexibility in energy production compared to older nuclear plants. The government has approved legislation that sets the legal framework for these next-generation nuclear technologies, mandating the creation of implementing decrees within one year to cover licensing, safety standards, waste management, and site selection.
The push for nuclear power is supported by a new generation of Italians who view it as a low-carbon energy source, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring stable energy supplies amidst geopolitical uncertainties like the Ukraine and Iran wars. A June YouTrend poll indicated that 57% of respondents were positive about Meloni's nuclear revival plans, while 31% viewed them negatively. Companies like Franco-Italian nuclear start-up Newcleo, which has raised $780 million, are developing lead-cooled SMRs that can be fueled by recycled nuclear waste, with Italian industrialists already expressing interest in these reactors for their energy-intensive businesses.
Despite the government's optimism, challenges remain. Critics, including climate change activists and renewables companies, argue that the focus on nuclear power could distract from quicker and simpler decarbonization solutions like solar power. Italy's powerful industry association, Confindustria, has urged the government to prioritize an emergency increase in renewables production to provide immediate relief to industries struggling with electricity costs, as commercial viability for many SMR designs is still unproven. Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin anticipates that electricity demand could increase by at least 30% within a decade, necessitating a broader energy mix beyond just renewables, with nuclear electricity generation potentially resuming by 2035, with construction of SMRs taking three to four years.
