Italian government rethinks its approach to nuclear phase-out

Highly dependent on fossil fuels, what if Italy reversed its decision to ban nuclear energy on its territory? For 40 years, public opinion has been divided. After a historic referendum in 1987 (after the Chernobyl disaster) – in which the Italians voted against – The country then began a gradual phase-out of nuclear energy. After several previous attempts, notably during the time of Silvio Berlusconi, the government of Giorgia Meloni is now rethinking its approach in this area as the fight against CO2 emissions intensifies on the Old Continent.

The Italian Environment Minister recently announced his intention to introduce new regulations by the end of the year to allow the use of nuclear technologies in the country.

We spoke to Riccardo Zucconi, who is part of one of the parliamentary committees tasked with analyzing the issue.

Riccardo Zucconi, Brothers Party of Italy: “There have been many activities that suggest a reconsideration of nuclear energy in Italy. However, there is no clear or decisive indication on this yet. It is worth noting the creation of a new platform by the Minister of Energy, as it lists the nuclear installations that still exist in Italy and throughout Europe. In addition, parliamentary committees are investigating the issue.”

With global demand expected to double over the next decade, Zucconi believes renewable energy alone will not be enough. The use of new types of power plants could meet up to 11% of national energy demand by 2050.

“Alternative options, including a new generation of smaller plants, are emerging and should, in my view, be seriously considered” specifies the Italian legislator.

The question is whether nuclear energy can go hand in hand with renewable energies. According to an independent study published on the occasion of the recent Cernobbio International Forum, the two types of energy can be combined and the implementation of nuclear technologies could benefit the economy.

“Nuclear energy and renewable energies are not opposed, they complement each other”explains Lorenzo Tavazzi, Senior Partner at TEHA Group. “The integration of the two can accelerate the use of clean technologies and strengthen decarbonization.”

But itSome environmental organizations oppose the use of nuclear energy for decarbonization. Italian public opinion remains very divided on the issue, as in the rest of Europe.