Italy Revives Nuclear Energy Push After Nearly Four Decades as Parliament Approves Nuclear Law

 Oriontimes Newsroom| September 23, 2026

Italy has taken a major step towards reviving nuclear energy production, with Parliament approving legislation that creates a new framework for the country’s potential return to nuclear power after almost four decades.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the decision as a “courageous and sensible choice,” arguing that the legislation will strengthen Italy’s energy security and reduce the country’s dependence on electricity generated by nuclear plants in neighbouring countries.

According to Meloni, the new framework is intended to provide families and businesses with greater energy security by reducing exposure to international energy crises and fluctuations in foreign energy supplies.

She also argued that nuclear power could provide a stable, low-emission source of electricity capable of working alongside renewable energy as Italy responds to rising electricity demand, including the growing needs of data centres and artificial intelligence.

“We are talking about next-generation technologies, not old power plants,” Meloni said, emphasising that Italy’s renewed nuclear ambition would focus on modern nuclear technologies.

With Parliament’s approval, the next stage will involve the government establishing detailed regulations covering nuclear safety, licensing and authorisation procedures, radioactive waste management and relations with local communities and territories.

The move marks a significant shift in Italy’s energy policy. The country abandoned nuclear power following referendums in the late 1980s, and its existing electricity system has since relied on a combination of domestic generation and imports, including nuclear-generated electricity from neighbouring countries.

Meloni presented the parliamentary approval as the fulfilment of a commitment made to Italians.

“It was a commitment taken with Italians. Another commitment we have kept,” she said.

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