Latest News

Italy's plan for go back to nuclear power ready by end-2027, minister states

Italy aims to settle by the end of 2027 a plan enabling the usage of nuclear power again after it was prohibited almost 40 years ago, Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said in an interview published on Thursday by Italian everyday Il Sole 24 Ore.

. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's conservative federal government has said little modular reactors and advanced modular reactors could assistance decarbonise Italy's most polluting markets, consisting of steel, glass and tilemaking.

Nuclear-fired power plants are forbidden in Italy following referendums in 1987 and 2011 but the federal government is now drafting rules to lift the ban through making use of new nuclear-power technologies.

Italy is ready to go back to nuclear power, a crucial choice that will not change renewables but will match them, making sure a well balanced and sustainable energy mix, Pichetto Fratin said, including that a first draft law would be submitted for cabinet approval within the next two weeks.

In September in 2015, Pichetto Fratin stated that Italy wanted to draft guidelines enabling new nuclear power innovations by early 2025 at the latest and hoped that parliament would be able to approve the draft legislation this year.

Italy approximates it would conserve 17 billion euros ($ 17.7. billion) on the cost of decarbonising the economy by 2050 if. nuclear power comprised a minimum of 11% of its energy mix.

Pichetto Fratin stated the Italian energy and climate plan. ( PNIEC) approximated that portion at up to 22%.

Italy has actually maintained crucial competence in the nuclear sector. State-controlled energy Enel operates nuclear power. stations in Spain and energy significant Eni is buying. a task to develop a nuclear blend reactor in the United. States.

Last year Pichetto Fratin said that Italy was in talks with. several companies consisting of U.S. energy group Westinghouse and. France's EDF as potential partners for a state-backed company. that will develop sophisticated nuclear reactors in the nation and. that Enel, Ansaldo and defence business Leonardo were. dealing with establishing a state-backed company to develop nuclear. reactors in Italy.

In November in 2015, Enel said it would join forces with. other groups to set up a new business to study the use of. advanced nuclear innovation, but no arrangement has actually yet been. signed.

(source: Reuters)