Rome: Italy is ready for a return to nuclear power, Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin announced on Tuesday. The country, which had previously abandoned nuclear energy after a referendum following the Chernobyl disaster, is now considering the production of small, latest-generation reactors with financial support from the government.
According to Ansa News Agency, Pichetto Fratin emphasized the importance of collaboration between politics, entrepreneurship, and research to achieve this goal. In a video address to the Italian Nuclear Association (AIN) assembly, he stated, “If politics, entrepreneurship, and research come together to work in a scenario of common commitment, this means that our country is also culturally ready to return to nuclear energy production.”
Further elaborating on the plans, Pichetto Fratin mentioned that a group led by Professor Giovanni Guzzetta is set to present a draft delegation law by the end of the year. This law aims to establish a regulatory fra
mework and a new governance scheme for the nuclear energy system. Additionally, the minister highlighted the need for an authority to oversee nuclear security, proposing the strengthening of the Italian Nuclear Security Inspectorate (ISIN) to fulfill this role.
