Nuclear, Newco is born. Enel at 51% appoints managing director. Resta (ex Polimi) chairman

The joint venture to study how to develop new-generation nuclear reactors in Italy will be called Nuclitalia. The initialling of the agreement that sees Enel, Ansaldo Energia and Leonardo enter the field together has arrived.

"Enel, Ansaldo Energia and Leonardo have formalised the establishment of Nuclitalia, a company that will be responsible for the study of advanced technologies and the analysis of market opportunities in the new nuclear sector. The shares of Nuclitalia, a limited liability company, are held 51% by Enel, 39% by Ansaldo Energia, and 10% by Leonardo,' reads the note released.

As explained, Nuclitalia will be tasked with evaluating the most innovative and mature designs of the new sustainable nuclear industry, with an initial focus on water-cooled Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). "The process will include defining the specific requirements for our country system and selecting the most promising solutions on the basis of an in-depth techno-economic analysis. The company will also examine opportunities for industrial partnerships and co-design with an approach based on innovation, environmental and economic sustainability, and enhancing the skills of the Italian supply chain,' it explains. In essence, since Italy cannot develop alone a technology on which several countries in the world are already ahead, it will be a matter of choosing among the existing prototypes the one that can best adapt to national needs.

The shareholders of Nuclitalia also defined the company officers. The board of directors will consist of seven members and will be chaired by Ferruccio Resta, former Rector of the Milan Polytechnic. Luca Mastrantonio, head of Enel's Nuclear Innovation unit, will assume the role of CEO.

'Five other managers from shareholder companies complete the board, selected for their solid technical skills and great experience, qualities that they will put at the disposal of the new company, actively contributing to its growth,' it is explained. In the coming weeks, a technical committee will also be set up to support Nuclitalia's technological analysis activities'.