Giorgia Meloni’s government bets on unproven nuclear tech

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Italy’s government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has advanced legislation to reintroduce nuclear energy, pivoting toward Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs)
• The Environment and Energy Security Ministry confirmed that the draft law has cleared institutional review and is headed to parliament
• If approved, new plants could be operational by the early 2030s, contributing up to 22% of Italy’s electricity mix by 2050

🔭 The context: Italy shuttered its nuclear fleet following referendums in 1987 and 2011, driven by public backlash after the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters
• With electricity demand projected to double by 2050 and renewable expansion hindered by regulatory delays (150 GW currently stuck in permitting), the government is positioning nuclear as essential for baseload stability
• Meloni’s administration has also joined the French-led European Nuclear Alliance and created a domestic consortium, Nuclitalia, involving Enel, Leonardo, and Ansaldo Energia

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: If successful, Italy’s nuclear return could reinforce a decarbonized, reliable energy mix across the EU. SMRs and AMRs promise lower waste and modular scalability but remain unproven in Western Europe
• Critics argue the pivot risks delaying more cost-effective renewable buildouts while increasing dependence on high-risk supply chains and legacy technologies
• Yet proponents claim nuclear is crucial for balancing intermittent renewables and achieving net-zero.

⏭️ What's next: The law’s parliamentary passage will determine the path forward. A final decision on plant construction hinges on forthcoming cost-benefit analyses and technology assessments
• Opposition figures hint at another referendum but admit the current legal and political climate favors the government
• Public opinion is shifting cautiously pro-nuclear, while lobbying from state-adjacent firms amplifies the momentum
• Unresolved permitting delays on renewables continue to strain Italy’s climate targets

💬 One quote: “We are a country that... is not able to meet its national demand for electricity. There is only one path for us to take if we want to remain among the rich countries of the world.” – Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Minister for the Environment and Energy Security

📈 One stat: Italy’s nuclear market could reach €50 billion by 2050, with potential savings of €17 billion compared to an all-renewables strategy — though this is contested by the Bank of Italy

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