Italy’s energy landscape largely sits at a tipping point. The nation is currently facing massive backlogs in renewable electricity production and battery storage installations. These setbacks may hinder Italy’s ability to meet its carbon emission reduction commitments, particularly in light of the European Union’s ambitious 2030 decarbonization targets.
France’s neighbor, Italy, had a nuclear ban of its own for almost four decades — a ban that was lifted in 2023. Italy remains the only G8 country without one single operational nuclear power plant. The country used to operate four reactors, but closed them in 1987, following the Chernobyl meltdown. The recent policy shift opens up opportunities for Italy to explore advanced nuclear power, which could play a crucial role in its transition to cleaner energy.
Potential of Hydropower
Even despite these bold steps, Italy’s renewable energy infrastructure is still woefully underdeveloped. The nation stands to benefit from unlocking 13.6GW of hydropower storage capacity at 56 new sites. By integrating this resource with advanced nuclear technologies and carbon capture, Italy could significantly enhance its energy independence and economic prospects.
The report conducted by Edison and TEHA Group highlights the urgent need for Italy to streamline its permitting processes and provide investment certainty. Without these steps, the nation is doomed to a miserable wait. It might take another decade just to deploy the green infrastructure we would need to catch up.
“We must reduce our energy and technological dependence on foreign countries, enhance domestic supply chains such as hydroelectric pumping, and build European partnerships around emerging technologies, from next-generation nuclear to carbon capture.” – Nicola Monti, Edison CEO.
Economic Implications
Not to mention the economic implications — there are real costs associated with delaying renewables deployment. All Italian solar projects now incur costs that are at least 20 percent higher than their counterparts in France, Germany, and Spain. This unfair advantage poses a serious competitive threat. Italy stands to gain economically €190 billion ($222.2 billion) by 2050. This growth goes hand in hand with its success at fully realizing the potential of hydropower storage and other advanced technologies to their energy portfolio.
Responsible management of energy costs is still very much a necessity. High costs are the primary barrier to deploying solar at this very moment. This barrier is what prevents widespread adoption and sustainability across the sector. Tackling these challenges head-on is key if Italy wants to deliver on its green objectives and ensure economic stability.
Future Outlook
Italy’s path to a greener energy future is paved with challenges, but with potential. As the nation works to modernize its energy infrastructure, collaboration with European partners and investment in emerging technologies will be vital. Bringing hydropower and nuclear energy together can lead Italy further along its path to reduce emissions. Adding carbon capture to the mix will propel this progress even further.