Framatome, a French company specializing in nuclear energy, recently strengthened its presence in Italy by establishing a branch with offices in Milan and Turin. This initiative aims to support the development of nuclear energy in Europe while offering Italian engineers the opportunity to contribute to nuclear projects in their own country. This project represents a new step in the cooperation between Framatome and Italy, which has spanned over forty years.
For several decades, Framatome has been hiring talented Italian engineers in France, but the opening of this local branch now provides opportunities on Italian soil. According to Bernard Fontana, CEO of Framatome, this establishment meets the growing demand for specialized labor for low-emission carbon projects in Europe, particularly in the nuclear sector.
A strengthened partnership for research and innovation
Last July, a cooperation agreement for scientific research, development, and training in the field of nuclear energy was signed between Framatome, Edison, and the Politecnico di Milano. This partnership will integrate the skills and expertise of the three entities to develop research and innovation activities in the nuclear sector.
As part of this agreement, several initiatives have been planned, including joint projects through internships, master’s theses, doctoral dissertations, as well as seminars and workshops on technical topics of mutual interest. Framatome, on its part, also plans to facilitate visits to its production sites for students and employees of Italian institutions to encourage an exchange of expertise between the two countries.
Strengthening skills for the future of nuclear energy
In addition to this cooperative effort, Framatome has announced its intention to recruit 2,500 people worldwide annually to support its current and future projects. According to Elisabeth Terrail, Senior Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Framatome, renowned Italian schools such as Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino offer high-quality nuclear engineering programs. These institutions represent a significant source of talent for developing long-term skills in the nuclear industry.
Framatome’s commitment to recruit Italian graduates and offer them career opportunities in Italy aligns with a broader dynamic aimed at strengthening nuclear sector skills and creating a talent pool in Europe.
A favorable context for the return of nuclear energy in Italy
Italy, which abandoned nuclear energy following the Chernobyl accident in 1986, recently initiated a debate on a potential return of nuclear energy in its energy mix. In 2023, the Italian Parliament adopted a motion urging the government to consider incorporating nuclear energy. This motion marked a turning point after decades of public opposition to nuclear power, especially following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, which led to a moratorium on new nuclear plant constructions.
Last September, the national platform for sustainable nuclear energy held its first meeting to establish a timeline for the potential nuclear restart and identify industrial opportunities. Additionally, Italy’s National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, submitted to the European Commission in July, now foresees potential nuclear capacity reaching up to 16 GW, representing approximately 20-22% of the country’s energy capacity by 2050.
This shift in attitude could allow companies like Framatome to play a key role in Italy’s energy transition. Framatome’s Italian branch is well-positioned to support this development while strengthening Franco-Italian relations in the energy sector.
