INSIDE THE ENERGY TRANSITION: WHAT ROLE FOR NUCLEAR POWER?

Francesco Campanella, Director General, ISIN; Lorenzo Fiorillo, Director Technology, R&D & digital, Eni; Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Minister of the Environment and Energy Security; Francesca Mariotti, President, ENEA; Luca Mastrantonio, CEO of Nuclitalia; Elizabeth Rizzotti, COO and Managing Director, Newcleo Italy. Moderated by Giuliano Frosini, Professor of Public Affairs and Regulatory Affairs, Luiss Business School

In recent years, the debate over nuclear energy in Italy has steadily gained new momentum through a range of institutional and industrial initiatives that reflect a shift from the opposition established by the referenda of 1987 and 2011.
This process reached a significant turning point in February 2025, when the Council of Ministers approved a draft framework law on sustainable nuclear energy, aimed at defining a regulatory structure to support the development of the most innovative technologies for nuclear electricity generation. This renewed interest—mirrored at the international level as well—has been driven by several factors: the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine, decarbonization policies, and the increasing energy demands of households and businesses.
In future energy mixes characterized by the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions, nuclear energy could represent an effective solution for supplying continuous, safe, and stable-cost electricity—well integrated with the intermittent and non-programmable output of renewable sources.