Italy Turns Back to Nuclear Power as Parliament Approves Landmark Energy Law

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Italy is officially moving back towards nuclear energy after Parliament approved a landmark law establishing the regulatory framework needed to produce nuclear power in the country.

The decision marks a major shift in Italy’s energy policy, almost four decades after the country effectively abandoned nuclear power.

The new legislation creates the legal foundation for a potential new generation of nuclear energy projects, with the Government arguing that nuclear power can strengthen Italy’s energy security while helping meet rising electricity demand.

Italy currently imports electricity generated by nuclear power stations in neighbouring countries, despite having no operating nuclear reactors of its own.

The Government says the new framework is designed to change that.

Italy looks to next generation nuclear technology

Officials have stressed that the policy is focused on next generation nuclear technologies, rather than simply reviving Italy’s former nuclear power plants.

The Government says nuclear energy could provide a stable, low emissions source of electricity while complementing renewable energy such as solar and wind.

It also points to the rapidly increasing demand for electricity from data centres and artificial intelligence as a growing challenge for Italy’s energy system.

For households and businesses, the Government argues that greater domestic electricity production could reduce dependence on foreign energy supplies and limit exposure to international energy crises that can contribute to higher electricity bills.

Safety and nuclear waste rules still to come

Parliament’s approval is only the beginning of the process.

The Government must now establish detailed implementing regulations covering nuclear safety, licensing and authorisation procedures, radioactive waste management and the relationship between nuclear projects and local communities.

These rules will determine how Italy’s new nuclear framework operates in practice.

Italy’s relationship with nuclear energy has been shaped by decades of political controversy.

The country operated nuclear power plants before abandoning nuclear energy following a 1987 referendum, held after the Chernobyl disaster. Plans to return to nuclear power were subsequently rejected by voters in a 2011 referendum.

The latest parliamentary decision represents a significant change in direction.

Italy now has a legal framework for developing nuclear energy again, although the construction of new reactors will still require further regulatory, technical and political steps.

The Government has described the vote as the fulfilment of a commitment made to Italians.

“Another commitment we’ve kept,” it said. 🇮🇹

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