IEA chief urges Italy to revisit nuclear ban

The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has called on Italy to rethink its long-standing rejection of nuclear power, arguing that the country’s energy security and economic stability could benefit from a broader mix of low-carbon sources.

Speaking in an interview published on April 17, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said Italy should “reconsider” its decision to phase out nuclear energy, noting that the country remains heavily dependent on imported power and fossil fuels, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Italy shut down its nuclear programme following referendums in 1987 and 2011, leaving it without any operational reactors. It now relies significantly on electricity imports, including nuclear-generated power from neighbouring France.

While acknowledging Italy’s progress in expanding renewable energy, Birol warned that renewables alone may not provide sufficient stability for a modern energy system.

“For economic prosperity, energy security and national sovereignty, Rome should evaluate nuclear power carefully, both in its traditional form and with new modular reactors,” he said.

The comments come as the Italian government prepares legislation that could pave the way for a return to nuclear energy, including potential support for next-generation reactor technologies. The proposal is expected to be debated in parliament in the coming months, but remains politically sensitive in a country where public opinion has historically been sceptical of nuclear power.

Environmental opposition groups continue to raise concerns over safety risks, high construction costs and lengthy development timelines.

By Aghakazim Guliyev