Italy bets on nuclear comeback as Meloni government pushes energy shift

Nearly four decades after the Chernobyl disaster prompted Italy to abandon nuclear power, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is taking steps toward restoring it, arguing that next-generation reactors could strengthen energy security, support climate goals and reduce reliance on imported energy.

Italy’s Parliament is expected to approve legislation next week establishing a legal framework for advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs). The measure would give the government a year to draft rules on reactor licensing, safety, waste management and site selection, The Associated Press writes. 

“The duty of the government at this moment is to create the conditions so that those who will eventually decide on installations will be able to do so,” Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, minister for the Environment and Energy Security, told The Associated Press.

Dramatic policy reversal

Italy shut down its four nuclear reactors after a 1987 referendum held in the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster. A second attempt to revive nuclear energy collapsed after Japan’s Fukushima accident in 2011, when around 94% of voters rejected plans for new reactors.

Now, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, concerns over energy security and rising electricity demand have prompted a major policy rethink.

Rather than returning to large conventional reactors, the government is focusing on SMRs and other advanced technologies, which supporters say are safer, quicker to build and more flexible.

“We are talking about the third advanced generation (of nuclear power), much more workable compared to what are the needs, much safer because it is small in size with very short construction times,” Pichetto Fratin said.

“When people ask me for a timeline, I say 2033, 2034, 2035,” he added, referring to when the first next-generation reactors could realistically begin operating.

Generational divide over nuclear power

As Italy debates its energy future, workers continue dismantling the country's former nuclear infrastructure at the Latina nuclear plant south of Rome.

“There is a generation that came right after Chernobyl that still sees nuclear energy in light of the accident at Chernobyl only,” Viviana Cruciani, who oversees decommissioning work for state-owned company Sogin, told AP.

“But there is another generation, a lot younger, that is enthusiastic about nuclear, and it is even sorry that the country has not yet made any progress towards a comeback to this technology.”

According to a June 2026 survey by research firm Only Numbers cited by AP, about 55% of Italians support next-generation nuclear plants. Analysts say younger Italians are generally more receptive, viewing nuclear power as part of the transition to low-carbon energy rather than through the lens of past disasters.

“I think nuclear power can help the environment too. It’s more sustainable,” said 20-year-old Cristian Giannetti.

Costs and political hurdles remain

Despite growing support, critics argue that nuclear power remains expensive and unproven in its new forms.

“If we use nuclear as a backup ... the average energy costs become devastating. So unfortunately it’s not a good complement to renewables and it’s not cheap,” said Michele Governatori, a senior energy adviser at climate and energy think tank ECCO.

Industry estimates cited by AP suggest a single 300-megawatt SMR could cost between 3 billion and 6 billion euros before infrastructure and grid expenses.

Italy also faces the politically sensitive challenge of choosing locations for future reactors and long-term nuclear waste storage. The country still lacks a permanent national repository for existing nuclear waste, and any proposed sites are expected to face local opposition.

Even if Parliament approves the legislation, environmental groups and opposition parties could push for another national referendum once specific reactor projects move forward, leaving Italy's ambitious nuclear revival facing significant political tests.

By Sabina Mammadli