Four decades after the Chernobyl disaster led Italy to abandon nuclear power, Premier Giorgia Meloni’s government is advancing legislation to re-establish a framework for nuclear energy, driven by energy security needs and a younger generation’s view of the technology.
Parliament is expected to approve government-sponsored legislation that would create a legal structure for next-generation nuclear technologies. The government will then have 12 months to develop decrees on reactor licensing, safety standards, waste management, and site selection. Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin stated that the government's role is to "create the conditions so that those who will eventually decide on installations will be able to do so."
Italy's potential energy reversal comes as other European nations, such as France and Poland, are expanding or pursuing nuclear power to address energy security and climate goals. Italy, however, is seeking to rebuild an industry that was dismantled by public referenda following the 1986 Chernobyl accident and a subsequent 2011 vote against new reactors after Japan's Fukushima disaster.
The government argues that increasing electricity demand, climate objectives, and energy security concerns, particularly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, necessitate the inclusion of nuclear power in Italy's energy mix. Pichetto Fratin estimates that electricity demand could rise by at least 30% within a decade, requiring a broader range of energy sources beyond renewables. The focus is on advanced technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs), which proponents suggest are safer, more flexible, and faster to construct than traditional large plants. "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, projecting that the first next-generation reactors could be operational between 2033 and 2035.
Globally, nuclear power accounts for about 10% of electricity generation. Italy's consideration of nuclear power reflects a broader trend of countries revisiting atomic energy, supported by technological advancements in safety and cost-effectiveness.
Despite the government's initiative, a generational divide persists. Viviana Cruciani, who manages nuclear decommissioning at the Latina plant, observes that while an older generation associates nuclear energy primarily with the Chernobyl accident, a younger generation is more enthusiastic and sees it as a path toward technological progress and climate solutions. A June 2026 survey by Only Numbers indicated that approximately 55% of Italians support next-generation nuclear plants, with support being more pronounced among younger demographics. Cristian Giannetti, a 20-year-old tourist, expressed optimism about the reduced risks due to technological advancements, stating, "With the expertise we have and all the resources available today, I think the probability is really minimal."
However, challenges remain. Michele Governatori, a senior energy adviser at ECCO, a climate and energy think tank, expressed skepticism regarding the cost-effectiveness of nuclear power as a complement to renewables, citing the "devastating" average energy costs. Pichetto Fratin acknowledged that nuclear power is not an immediate solution for lowering electricity bills, stating, "The nuclear power of tomorrow can help reduce them." Industry estimates for a single 300-megawatt SMR range from 3 billion to 6 billion euros, with the government hoping for private capital investment. Governatori views cost as a significant hurdle, noting high expenses for current European nuclear projects and a lack of private investor interest, and questions whether SMRs will fundamentally alter these economics, as the technology is not yet commercially proven at scale.
Finding suitable locations for reactors and waste storage presents a major political obstacle. Italy still lacks a national repository for its existing nuclear waste, much of which is stored at temporary facilities. Any proposed site is likely to face significant local opposition. Experts suggest that public support for nuclear power diminishes considerably when specific locations are considered, with polls indicating that about six in 10 Italians oppose a reactor in their own province. Governatori cautioned that as discussions turn to concrete site and cost proposals, public opinion could shift negatively once more.