Europe revives nuclear energy

Translated by Jennifer Di Giacomo

In last months, the public debate on nuclear energy has come back into focus. At a time when the energy transition, has become as essential as ever, to ensure the world's ever-increasing energy needs and to meet climate challenges. So much so that institutions feel the need to explore new alternative avenues. Nuclear energy, although controversial for some, due to concerns about the safety of the plants and the possible environmental impact from radioactive waste management, is one of the best alternative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and diversify the national energy mix. Indeed, in recent years, many states have revised their policies, in order to move toward this type of energy. Therefore, they have recognized its great potential in ensuring energy stability and environmental sustainability. Moreover, considering the current global landscape, marked by strong geopolitical tensions and heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels, nuclear power is increasingly confirmed as a viable alternative that can ensure a continuous, stable and independent energy supply.

European Nuclear Alliance

It is precisely in this direction that Europe is moving, which in recent years has embarked on a path of cooperation and sharing in the field of atomic energy with the realization of the European Nuclear Alliance. This project, created to unite the scientific expertise of several European countries, proposes as its ultimate goal, the development of next-generation reactors and to increase the safety of plants to make nuclear power an essential component in the continent's energy mix.

Italy, which for years has been limited to the role of mere observer, last week made its membership in the Alliance official, becoming for all intents and purposes an integral part of it. This initiative, represents a remarkable change of course for the national political direction, especially considering the fact that nuclear power, in our country, has historically been a rather controversial issue. Also,in the past, the subject of popular referendums that limited its use. This institutional act is clearly intended to underscore the government's willingness to invest more in innovative infrastructure and scientific research, with the aim of making nuclear power safer and, possibly, reintroducing this technology on the national territory in the future.

As of this moment, Italy, along with Belgium, which formally applied for membership in February, joins the 12 nations that are already part of the Alliance (Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Hungary) by actively contributing to the sharing of resources and employing their scientific expertise in the development of the sector. The Nuclear Alliance aims not only to create an integrated European sector, in the field of atomic energy, but also to consolidate an industrial chain that can compete globally with the participation of public institutions in joint projects in the sector.

The birth of Nuclitalia

In Italy, the much-discussed atomic energy sector recently witnessed the birth of Nuclitalia, a new business entity dedicated entirely to the development of nuclear power in the country. The newco, whose shareholding structure includes the strategic involvement of Enel for 51% of the shares, Ansaldo Energia for 39% and Leonardo for 10%, is thus the result of the synergy between some of the country's major energy and technology players. The main objective of Nuclitalia will be, on the one hand, to study and test new technological solutions related to nuclear reactors, and on the other hand, to carry out an analysis of market opportunities in the new nuclear sector. Initially for the evaluation of innovative designs of sustainable new nuclear power, the company will focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), small-scale reactors that promise significant safety and operational flexibility advantages over traditional, mammoth fission plants. SMR technology enables the construction of energy plants, taking advantage of modular components that are built and assembled at the factory and then transported and installed at the designated site, significantly cutting construction time and averting delays and rising expenses.

The company, which also aims to establish new partnerships with research institutes and universities, could offer the country a chance to establish itself as a leader in the next generation of energy technologies by taking a huge step toward global decarbonization.

Italy, has taken a historic step that marks a clear reversal of what was the national view, which was historically wary of this type of energy. By joining the European Nuclear Alliance, the country has chosen to invest in collaboration by placing itself within a European and global context that recognizes the long-term potential of nuclear power in ensuring energy security and environmental sustainability.

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