popular articles

Enel launches Nuclitalia to invest in small nuclear reactors in Italy

Energy group Enel partners with Ansaldo and Leonardo to form Nuclitalia, a joint venture focused on developing small modular reactor technologies as Italy considers a return to civilian nuclear power.

Please share:

Italian energy group Enel, the country’s main electricity producer, has announced the creation of a joint venture named Nuclitalia, specialising in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The new entity aims to position Italy in the growing compact nuclear technology segment, as the government evaluates the possibility of reintroducing civilian nuclear energy.

Under the terms of the partnership, Enel will hold 51% of Nuclitalia, alongside Ansaldo Energia (39%), an industrial engineering company, and Leonardo (10%), an Italian defence group. In a statement published on May 14, the partners stated that the mission of the joint venture is to “assess the most innovative and advanced designs in the new sustainable nuclear industry”.

Investment in compact nuclear technologies

Small modular reactors present distinctive features compared to traditional nuclear plants, including reduced construction costs, more flexible installation, and shorter commissioning times. Several countries have already committed investment in this technology, including the United States, China, Canada, South Korea, and Argentina.

Nuclitalia’s project aligns with a long-term plan set by Italian authorities. In 2024, a strategic document outlined plans to achieve nuclear capacity covering between 11% and 22% of the country’s electricity consumption by 2050. Implementation will depend on the establishment of an appropriate legal framework.

Conditional return of nuclear energy in Italy

Italy, once a pioneer in civilian nuclear energy, terminated its programme following referendums in 1987 and 2011, triggered by the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters. The last nuclear plants were shut down in 1990. The current government, led by Giorgia Meloni, reopened the debate in February and expects to define a legal framework within a year.

Nuclitalia’s initiative comes at a time of energy repositioning, where private-sector actors are anticipating regulatory developments. No specific timeline has been disclosed for the construction of the first reactors, but Enel stated that the assessment of available technologies will begin immediately.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

France: the Cour des comptes urges action on the management of 280,000 m³ of nuclear waste

The Cour des comptes is calling on the French government to speed up efforts to locate storage sites for over 280,000 m³ of long-lived radioactive waste, which currently lacks an operational solution.
The French National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee mistakenly rejects a crucial article on France's nuclear strategy, causing significant parliamentary confusion and casting doubt on the country’s energy targets.
The French National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee mistakenly rejects a crucial article on France's nuclear strategy, causing significant parliamentary confusion and casting doubt on the country’s energy targets.
Czech court authorizes major $18 billion nuclear project, allowing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to proceed with the construction of a controversial power plant despite legal challenges.
Czech court authorizes major $18 billion nuclear project, allowing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to proceed with the construction of a controversial power plant despite legal challenges.
Italy’s Ansaldo Energia signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan’s Uzatom agency to cooperate on advanced nuclear technologies, with a focus on small modular reactors.
Italy’s Ansaldo Energia signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan’s Uzatom agency to cooperate on advanced nuclear technologies, with a focus on small modular reactors.

NuScale receives US approval for 77 MWe modular reactor design

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the uprated version of NuScale’s small modular reactor, paving the way for commercial deployment of compact nuclear projects in the United States.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed a 26-month contract to assess a site in Uganda’s Buyende region for its first nuclear reactor, in compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed a 26-month contract to assess a site in Uganda’s Buyende region for its first nuclear reactor, in compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
EDF is challenging the legality of the nuclear contract awarded to KHNP, citing potential South Korean state support in violation of EU rules, leading to a temporary suspension of the Dukovany II project.
EDF is challenging the legality of the nuclear contract awarded to KHNP, citing potential South Korean state support in violation of EU rules, leading to a temporary suspension of the Dukovany II project.
Canadian company enCore Energy has received regulatory approval to extend its radioactive materials licence to the Upper Spring Creek project, initiating the construction of new ISR facilities near its Rosita site.
Canadian company enCore Energy has received regulatory approval to extend its radioactive materials licence to the Upper Spring Creek project, initiating the construction of new ISR facilities near its Rosita site.

Iran targeted by resolution plan after secret nuclear activities revealed

The International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three sites, which could lead to a non-compliance resolution by mid-June.
EDF plans a new nuclear pipework factory at Cordemais by 2028, confirming the end of coal-fired power in France and the site's industrial conversion.
EDF plans a new nuclear pipework factory at Cordemais by 2028, confirming the end of coal-fired power in France and the site's industrial conversion.
Uranium Royalty Corp. invests CAD1mn ($730,000) in a 2% royalty on Forum Energy Metals’ Aberdeen project, located near one of the world’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits.
Uranium Royalty Corp. invests CAD1mn ($730,000) in a 2% royalty on Forum Energy Metals’ Aberdeen project, located near one of the world’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits.
NexGen Energy unveils exceptional assay results at the Patterson Corridor East site, with uranium intercepts among the highest concentrations globally, highlighting the growing economic relevance of this strategic area for the nuclear industry.
NexGen Energy unveils exceptional assay results at the Patterson Corridor East site, with uranium intercepts among the highest concentrations globally, highlighting the growing economic relevance of this strategic area for the nuclear industry.

Nano Nuclear raises $105mn in private placement to strengthen cash position

Nano Nuclear Energy announced a $105mn fundraising from institutional investors, bringing its total cash position above $200mn to accelerate its small-scale nuclear reactor projects.
The suspension of the nuclear contract between KHNP and the Czech Republic has triggered intense reactions in South Korea, where the company and authorities express dissatisfaction with European legal and regulatory obstacles.
The suspension of the nuclear contract between KHNP and the Czech Republic has triggered intense reactions in South Korea, where the company and authorities express dissatisfaction with European legal and regulatory obstacles.
Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.
Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the Velvet-Wood site, the first mining project to benefit from an expedited environmental procedure aimed at strengthening national mineral security.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the Velvet-Wood site, the first mining project to benefit from an expedited environmental procedure aimed at strengthening national mineral security.

Argentina targets nuclear revival with Ivana uranium mine in three years

Blue Sky Uranium’s Ivana mining project in Argentina could begin production within three years, backed by an initial $35mn investment and an annual output capacity of 1.5 million pounds of uranium.
The German government expresses openness toward French nuclear energy, promising a technologically neutral approach despite internal divisions over recognizing nuclear as a sustainable energy within the European Union.
The German government expresses openness toward French nuclear energy, promising a technologically neutral approach despite internal divisions over recognizing nuclear as a sustainable energy within the European Union.
Donald Trump announces four executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy production within 25 years, radically accelerate regulatory approvals, secure enriched uranium supplies, and address the surging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence.
Donald Trump announces four executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy production within 25 years, radically accelerate regulatory approvals, secure enriched uranium supplies, and address the surging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence.
Tennessee Valley Authority becomes the first US public utility to apply for a permit to build a BWRX-300 small modular reactor, with site works anticipated as early as 2026 at Clinch River.
Tennessee Valley Authority becomes the first US public utility to apply for a permit to build a BWRX-300 small modular reactor, with site works anticipated as early as 2026 at Clinch River.

Macron in Vietnam: France faces Russian-American nuclear agreements

Emmanuel Macron is visiting Vietnam as the country expands its nuclear partnerships, signing today an agreement with the American company Westinghouse, following recent cooperation with Russia, intensifying competition in this strategic market.
Westinghouse has signed seven new agreements with Bulgarian suppliers to support the construction of two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, further expanding its local industrial footprint.
Westinghouse has signed seven new agreements with Bulgarian suppliers to support the construction of two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, further expanding its local industrial footprint.
The Maanshan 2 reactor has been permanently disconnected from the grid, marking the end of nuclear operations in Taiwan in line with the national phase-out legislation.
The Maanshan 2 reactor has been permanently disconnected from the grid, marking the end of nuclear operations in Taiwan in line with the national phase-out legislation.
Several parties are positioning to acquire French company Orano’s mining sites in Niger, while the firm pursues international arbitration to protect its assets and nearly €250mn in blocked uranium concentrate.
Several parties are positioning to acquire French company Orano’s mining sites in Niger, while the firm pursues international arbitration to protect its assets and nearly €250mn in blocked uranium concentrate.

Advertising