Italy explores return to nuclear power after nearly 40 years as energy costs rise
Mar 15th 2026
Meloni's team is weighing how to revive nuclear generation nearly four decades after reactors were closed and 15 years after an earlier effort failed, amid rising energy costs.
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has promoted nuclear energy as a tool to help Italy's struggling economy.
- The government is consulting experts and holding internal discussions on how to restart atomic power production.
- Italy shuttered its last commercial reactors almost 40 years ago after a public ban on the technology.
- This push follows a failed attempt about 15 years ago to reverse the nuclear ban.
- Officials are still in planning and consultation stages with no official restart timeline announced.
Articles
- Italy Explores Nuclear Return After 40 Years as Energy Costs Hit www.bloomberg.com
- Why nuclear is now a booming industry www.economist.com