What joining the nuclear alliance means for Italy

From observer to full and operational member. In little more than two years, Italy has overcome the taboo on the role of nuclear power in decarbonisation and has fully joined the French-led EU alliance, which from 2023 onwards promotes the interests of pro-nuclear countries on the continent in Brussels.

The decision came after the government's decision 'to present the bill for a return to nuclear energy production', stressed Minister Gilberto Pichetto, sealing the country's renewed interest in the source produced by new-generation reactors with a view to promoting 'with conviction the principle of technological neutrality' and following 'a sustainable energy transition that guarantees the resilience of the energy system and favours businesses and families'.

This strategy is fully in line with the EU energy security plan, launched to reduce the use of fossil fuels, focus on alternative sources and turn the page on energy dependence on Russia. Italy has joined the growing and now consolidated front which includes, in addition to Paris, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Estonia (the latter as observer).

And to which, timidly, the German minister Katherina Reiche also appeared - always in the role of observer - confirming a change of pace by Berlin on energy policies and, in particular, on nuclear power destined to change the cards on the table. In order to push it forward, Brussels estimates that investment of 241 billion euros will be needed by 2050, earmarked both for the construction of new reactors and for extending the life of existing plants. Dominating the agenda of the energy ministers meeting in Luxembourg was energy security as a whole.

With the most complicated political knot to unravel: the stop to the last ties with Moscow. The European Commission's legislative proposal to ban all Russian gas supply contracts by the end of 2027 is expected in the next few hours, but the unanimity to give impetus to the action of Ursula von der Leyen's executive lacked this time too. In fact, Hungary and Slovakia opted out of the Council's final conclusions, forcing Poland - the EU's rotating president - to rely only on the support of the other 25 member states. But the vetoes did not slow down the action of EU Commissioner Dan Jorgensen. In line with the roadmap presented in May, the Berlaymont Palace should introduce an immediate stop to new contracts with Moscow, while short-term contracts already in force will have to be terminated as of 2026 and long-term ones by the end of 2027.