Nuclear power is back in play for Italian industry

Italy is once again seriously considering nuclear power as a viable option for energy security and decarbonization. This is indicated in the report " The Development of Nuclear Energy in the National Energy Mix ," promoted by Confindustria and ENEA , which highlights how new-generation technologies, particularly Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) , are now capable of providing programmable, stable, and competitive electricity, with significant environmental and economic benefits.

Alongside energy issues, industrial potential also stands out strongly. The Italian foundry sector, represented by Assofond , is well aware of this, having expressed a clear and favorable position on the return of nuclear power. "Nuclear represents an enabling technology for decarbonization, but also a fundamental safeguard for the competitiveness of Italian industry," states Fabio Zanardi , president of the association. "In the medium to long term, the availability of energy at affordable, stable, and predictable prices is a necessary condition for the economic sustainability of the most energy-intensive sectors, including ours."

The conclusions of the report, presented in July, emphasize that reviving nuclear energy requires an integrated approach: a streamlined regulatory framework consistent with European standards, a national steering committee, investments in research and training, and above all, a long-term vision. The recent draft law, provisionally approved by the Council of Ministers—which empowers the government to regulate sustainable nuclear energy production—is a step in this direction. According to the report, if the first plant were to come online in 2035, Italy could launch a fleet of reactors capable of stabilizing the electricity system, reducing energy dependence on foreign countries, and containing costs for families and businesses.

But nuclear energy also encompasses supply chains, expertise, and exports. And here, Italian foundries already play a significant role, producing highly complex technical components for power plants and facilities. Control systems, pumps, valves, and structural supports are just some of the applications in which specialized foundries have been operating for years, meeting quality standards compliant with the nuclear industry. "Although it's currently a niche sector, the return of nuclear energy to Italy would open up new industrial opportunities," Zanardi continues. "A coherent, long-term program would allow our companies to integrate into the value chain in a structured manner, generating direct industrial and employment benefits."

A concrete example comes from Safas , a Vicenza-based company with over forty years of experience in the sector, now one of Europe's leading manufacturers of steel castings for nuclear applications. "We produce pump bodies for the primary circuits of next-generation power plants," explains CEO Matteo Pasqualotto . "Over time, we have contributed to the French and German nuclear programs, supplying components to plants around the world. It's a sector where specialization matters: we operate according to rigorous quality control protocols, with highly qualified personnel and certified processes."

The Confindustria–Enea report estimates that a nuclear revival could generate approximately 117,000 new jobs , 39,000 of which directly in the supply chain. In Italy, over 70 companies already operate in the sector, in areas ranging from reactor design to plant maintenance, from component construction to materials research. This industrial and technological heritage was not lost after the closure of the national program, but can now be leveraged to meet growing demand, including internationally. It is no coincidence that the document proposes a three-phase plan : strategic positioning of the supply chain with targeted partnerships and financing; construction of the first plants with full involvement of the national supply chain; and finally, expansion of the reactor fleet, with incentives for utilities and industrial users who adopt nuclear-generated heat and hydrogen.

At the heart of the desired model is technological neutrality : not privileging one source over another, but choosing based on objectives—decarbonization, safety, competitiveness—and the most effective solutions. Nuclear energy is not intended to compete with renewables, but rather to complement and enable them. And for many energy-intensive companies, it could represent the only way to survive in a context where energy prices remain highly volatile.