Italy’s nuclear plans “irrelevant” for EU power flows

by Alfredo Spalla • 22 September 2025

Italy’s return to nuclear would be “irrelevant” for neighbours and other EU states in the short to medium term, Paris‑based energy consultant Mycle Schneider said on the sidelines of the presentation of the World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2025 in Rome.

He said Italy’s policy would not impact the country’s or Europe’s electricity supply‑and‑demand balance before 2050, amid scepticism about Italy’s ability to develop small modular reactors (SMRs).

Giorgia Meloni’s government wants nuclear to meet 11-22% of Italy’s power demand, or 8-16 GW of capacity, by 2050, with targets to be defined if parliament gives the go-ahead.

Italy’s policy “seems much more about producing headlines in the discussion than about constructing electricity generating power plants”, said a German researcher who asked to remain anonymous.

He did not expect the decision to affect European power trading for at least 20 years, as Italy would need to rebuild its nuclear industry and invest billions of euros to safely and securely store a high level of radioactive waste after plant operation.

In 2024, Italy imported around 56 TWh of power from its neighbours, accounting for 18% of national demand, with 84% of its imports from France and Switzerland.

“Science fiction”

If Italy could suddenly produce a net energy surplus and stop importing from France, many outcomes could be envisaged, but that prospect remained “science fiction” in the short to medium term, said Benjamin Fishman of the Paris-based Heinrich Böll Foundation, which is close to the German Greens.

He said a nuclear comeback would face heavy bureaucratic obstacles and strong public resistance. Italians rejected nuclear power in 1987 and 2011 referendums.

Dmitry Gorchakov, a contributing author to the World Nuclear Industry Status Report and nuclear adviser in Lithuania for Oslo‑based NGO Bellona Foundation, said Italy’s decision could send a strong political signal for a nuclear renaissance in Europe, reinforcing France’s position.

Schneider agreed, saying Italy alone would be unlikely to shift other countries’ policies but could add to a cumulative effect that would raise the chances of follow‑on developments.