Summary:
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Reviving Nuclear Energy: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni plans to rejuvenate Italy’s nuclear energy sector, focusing on small modular reactors (SMRs) to be operational within a decade. The goal is for nuclear energy to contribute at least 11% of Italy’s electricity by 2050.
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Legislation and Safety Concerns: The government will introduce legislation to support investment in SMRs, aiming to overcome historical aversion to nuclear power. Enhanced safety measures are a key part of this strategy, addressing concerns stemming from past nuclear disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima.
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Debate on Viability: Critics argue that SMRs are expensive and inefficient compared to potential future technologies like nuclear fusion reactors. Italy’s main oil company, Eni, has partnered with MIT spinout Commonwealth Fusion System, targeting the first operational nuclear fusion plant by 2030.
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