Nuclear Power Plant Isar, Germany

Spent nuclear fuel pool

Turbine of a nuclear plant

Nuclear power plants in Italy

Italy became the first country to completely shut down all existing nuclear power plants and completely abandon nuclear power.

The Italians, by means of a referendum, rejected nuclear energy. The reason for the rejection is due to the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

Since then they have depended and depend on oil and, above all, on gas from Algeria and Russia.

Return to Nuclear Energy

However, in 2009 Italy turned its attention to nuclear energy to produce electricity.

The Italian and French governments signed an agreement for French companies specialized in nuclear development (Areva, EDF) to participate in the construction of four third-generation nuclear power plants in Italy.

On June 12, 2011, a referendum was to be held in Italy to restart investment in nuclear energy. The current government had a project to start the works of four plants in 2013 and have them fully operational in 2020.

The plebiscite was to be held three months after the unfortunate Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan. Due to the accident at the Japanese plant, the pebiscite was postponed.

Second Rejection of Nuclear Energy by Italians

Finally, the referendum was held in June 2011. 

The result of the 2011 Italy referendum clearly demonstrated the rejection of Italian citizens at the return of nuclear energy. The result was an overwhelming 94% of votes against the plan to return to nuclear energy outlined by the Berlusconi government.

Central dismantled or being dismantled

  • Caorso nuclear power plant. Piacenza
  • Garigliano nuclear power plant. Sessa Aurunca
  • Latina nuclear power plant. Borgo Sabotino
  • Trino Vercellese nuclear power plant. Piedmont
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