- Italy plans to reintroduce nuclear energy by 2050 to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce reliance on Russian gas, with a legislative framework expected by year-end.
- The government aims to develop and manufacture advanced reactors domestically, overcoming public opposition and positioning Italy as a leader in nuclear technology.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government plans to reintroduce nuclear energy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Minister of Enterprises Adolfo Urso announced that Italy will finalise a legislative framework by year-end, enabling the installation of third- and fourth-generation reactors.
This decision marks a significant shift since the 1987 referendum that halted nuclear development after the Chornobyl disaster. The government now views nuclear power as essential for cutting emissions and reducing reliance on Russian gas.
Urso emphasised Italy’s goal to develop and manufacture its reactors rather than importing them. “We aim to build reactors in Italy and export them,” he said during a Milan business conference. The government seeks to create an industrial sector that produces safer, more efficient reactors that meet modern environmental standards.
The Meloni administration believes nuclear energy and renewables will diversify the country’s energy mix, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and lower energy costs, surpassing those of other European nations. Nuclear power could offer a stable, long-term solution.
This push for nuclear energy aligns with recent EU policies. In February, the European Parliament classified atomic energy as a “strategic technology” for decarbonisation, encouraging investments and development in member states.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted European energy supplies, prompting Italy to seek alternatives to Russian gas. Nuclear energy provides a key solution to strengthening Italy’s energy security.
Italy has a robust nuclear technology history. Italian-American physicist Enrico Fermi, who won the 1938 Nobel Prize in Physics, built the first atomic reactor. Urso stressed the need for Italy to reclaim leadership in this field, stating, “Nuclear energy, invented in Italy, should represent Italian innovation.”
Despite the government’s ambitions, public opposition remains a hurdle. In a 2011 referendum held after the Fukushima disaster, 94% of Italians opposed nuclear energy. The Meloni government must address public concerns, especially around atomic safety, while advancing its nuclear strategy.
Implementing the plan will require substantial investment, support from European institutions, and effective public communication. The government must reassure citizens about modern reactors’ safety and economic benefits, particularly in reducing emissions and energy costs.
If successful, Italy could reestablish itself as a leader in advanced nuclear technology while progressing in the global fight against climate change. By integrating atomic energy with renewables, Italy hopes to secure a cleaner, more independent energy future.