Rome, Nov. 25 – Italian experts estimate that the first nuclear power plant could become operational in the country starting in 2035, resuming the use of nuclear energy, which has been banned since 1990, according to a recent study.
A report on Nuclear Energy Innovation Prospects 2025, presented by the School of Management at the Polytechnic University of Milan, indicates that only from 2040 onward will this technology begin to have national energy significance, with an estimated production of approximately 13 terawatt-hours (TWh).
The analysis, released this Tuesday on the digital platform of the specialized publication La Legge per Tutti, states that nuclear energy could actually take a leading role in Italy’s energy policy starting from 2050.
The research team, coordinated by Professor Vittorio Chiesa, highlights that by the middle of this century, Italy’s electricity production will double and could reach 60 TWh by that time, when the contribution of fossil fuels will have been drastically reduced, making room for renewable sources.
Chiesa, director of the Department of Energy and Strategy at the aforementioned institute, emphasized that the current National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) sets an ambitious goal to achieve an installed capacity of 8.0 gigawatts by 2050, capable of ensuring a production of 64 TWh.
The report focuses on technological evolution, with special attention given to Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), characterized by their smaller size—up to 400 megawatts (MW)—greater operational flexibility, and significantly shorter construction times compared to traditional power plants.
It also highlights the development of Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) of Generation IV, which are still in the research phase but promise revolutionary performance due to their high outlet temperatures and optimized fuel management.
All scenarios predict significant growth of SMRs by 2050, driven by the acceleration of new modular reactor construction in many countries, the document notes.
However, “the path remains challenging, and it will be essential to act swiftly on regulation, governance, permitting, and supply chain development to avoid losing the industrial window that enabling technologies could open in the coming years,” Chiesa warned.
Italy stopped producing nuclear energy after a referendum held in 1987 voted in favor of banning nuclear power following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and in another consultation held in 2011, Italians again overwhelmingly voted against building new plants.
In February 2025, the Italian government issued a draft law aimed at resuming nuclear energy generation and use, an initiative that must be debated and approved by Parliament.
