Italy should rethink nuclear power, IEA chief says

From Rome, the International Energy Agency's call for Italy to reconsider nuclear power strikes a familiar chord. While the government is indeed exploring new legal frameworks for nuclear energy, the specter of the 1987 and 2011 referendums looms large. The public remains divided, with anti-nuclear campaigners citing safety and cost concerns, while proponents, like the IEA's Fatih Birol, highlight the need for energy security and stable production, especially in light of global energy crises.

Birol's assertion that Italy, despite its progress in renewables, needs "stable and continuous production" resonates with the ongoing debate about diversifying the national energy mix. The reliance on imported electricity, particularly from nuclear power in France, underscores Italy's vulnerability. The IEA's suggestion to evaluate both traditional and modular reactors presents a forward-looking approach, aiming to balance energy needs with public apprehension.

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I know that Italy rejected nuclear power in two referendums. But already two years ago, in Rome, I said that, if I were (Italy's) government, I would reconsider that choice and look more closely at nuclear energy.

This discussion is particularly pertinent given the global shift towards reducing dependence on fossil fuels. While international bodies like the IEA advocate for nuclear energy as a solution, the Italian perspective is deeply rooted in its own history and public opinion. The government's move to draft new regulations signals a potential, albeit controversial, step towards re-engagement with nuclear power, a topic that continues to spark passionate debate across the nation.

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For economic prosperity, energy security and national sovereignty, Rome should evaluate nuclear power carefully, both in its traditional form and with new modular reactors.