Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin stated on Sunday that Italy envisions a role for nuclear energy, alongside renewable sources, in meeting the country’s net zero emission target by 2050.
Nuclear energy remains a contentious issue in Italy, where nuclear-fired power plants were prohibited following a 2011 referendum in which Italians voted against a national nuclear programme law.
Pichetto, who is set to lead discussions among energy ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) most industrialized nations beginning Monday in Turin, emphasized that nuclear energy could assist Italy in both environmental protection and achieving energy self-sufficiency.
“A contribution from nuclear energy in our energy mix would help Italy a lot in meeting the net zero target by 2050,” Pichetto stated during an event preceding the G7 energy meeting.
However, the topic may prove divisive during talks with other G7 nations, according to Italian diplomatic sources, with Germany reportedly resistant to Italy’s push for broad support for nuclear energy as a transition from fossil fuels.
During the event, Pichetto voiced support for the development of small nuclear reactors, which advocates argue could lower costs and aid in decarbonizing sectors like steel production. Italy’s energy ministry announced on Sunday that the country would join a European industrial alliance aimed at developing such reactors.
In discussions on national decarbonization efforts, Pichetto indicated that Italy was prepared to advance its deadline for shutting down coal-fired plants. This move is intended to encourage other G7 partners – including the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Canada, and Japan – to agree on a target date for phasing out the most polluting fossil fuel.
As the current head of the G7 rotating presidency, Italy plans to close its coal-power plants by 2025, except for those on the island of Sardinia, which have a deadline of 2028.