Italy is moving toward a potential revival of nuclear power as part of a broader strategy to address rising energy costs and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. The shift comes amid growing skepticism over the feasibility of rapidly expanding renewable energy projects, particularly wind and solar, which critics argue can disrupt landscapes and deliver inconsistent power.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition government has endorsed the deployment of next-generation small modular reactors (SMRs), viewing them as a promising source of low-carbon, domestically generated electricity. In June, Italy’s lower house of parliament approved a framework law that will enable the government to establish rules for nuclear power production through SMRs. The legislation is expected to receive Senate approval shortly, after which authorities will have one year to develop regulatory structures and protocols for nuclear waste management before licensing projects can begin.

The move reflects growing urgency: Italy faces power bills approximately 30% higher than the European average, driven in part by reliance on gas imports that still account for about half of the country’s electricity generation. Two energy crises in recent years have intensified calls for diversification.

Monica Tommasi, president of Friends of the Earth Italy and a transport engineer, exemplifies a segment of environmental advocates who have shifted positions on energy. Once a supporter of renewables, Tommasi now argues nuclear power represents a necessary tool for deep decarbonization, citing concerns over the landscape impact of wind turbines and solar arrays. She opposes a planned wind farm near her home in Orvieto, where German energy company RWE has received permission to build seven turbines. RWE contends the project balances heritage preservation with energy needs, noting it would supply around 42 megawatts, enough for approximately 40,000 homes.

Nevertheless, the debate remains polarized. Many climate activists and renewable energy firms warn that SMRs remain largely unproven commercially and caution that an overemphasis on nuclear could distract from scaling up renewables, which the International Energy Agency describes as the cheapest source of electricity in favorable locations. Italy currently has about 60 gigawatts of installed solar and wind capacity, substantially less than some European peers, with approximately 130 gigawatts of new projects pending approval.

Industry groups like Confindustria argue that a lengthy nuclear development timeline is untenable for businesses contending with high electricity prices. They urge the government to expedite renewable energy expansion to provide more immediate relief.

Italy’s history with nuclear power is complicated. The country originally embraced civil nuclear energy in the 1960s and 1970s but shut down all reactors by 1990 following a public referendum in the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster. Attempts to revive nuclear power were rejected again by voters in 2011 after the Fukushima incident.

The public acceptance of nuclear power remains uncertain. Some within Meloni’s coalition acknowledge the possibility of another referendum on the issue. Meanwhile, opponents of new projects continue to cite concerns over environmental and aesthetic impacts, even as Italy imports nuclear-generated electricity from France to meet its power demands.

Newcleo, a Franco-Italian nuclear startup, reports growing interest from Italian industrialists seeking stable energy sources to support sectors such as steelmaking and cement production. However, the full scope and timeline for Italy’s nuclear comeback remain to be determined amid ongoing political and social debates.