Today, nuclear energy is produced by mature and reliable technology, the result of research and operational experience. Over the years, significant progress has been made in safety, and this continues to evolve, making Plants increasingly efficient. The protection of people is at the heart of the design and management of third-generation (III) reactors, which are already widely used, and will be further strengthened in advanced third-generation (III+) and fourth-generation (IV) systems.
Who we are
Nuclitalia is the result of a collaboration between Enel, Ansaldo Energia, and Leonardo to lead the future of nuclear energy in Italy. We believe in safe and clean energy that can support value creation for the country and for future generations.
We want to help build a sustainable future, in which innovative nuclear energy is the key to ensuring a stable, safe, and efficient energy system for the country.
We are accelerating Italy's energy transition through the development of advanced nuclear solutions, promoting national industrial supply chains, technical expertise, and strategic alliances for the benefit of the country.
We are the force driving Italy toward a more secure, sustainable, and competitive energy future.
Objectives
Analyzing and selecting new-generation nuclear technologies, particularly SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) and AMRs (Advanced Modular Reactors), in order to identify those most suitable for implementation from a "national ecosystem" perspective.
Examining opportunities for industrial partnerships and co-design, leveraging on the expertise of Italian industries.
Researching and monitoring fourth-generation technologies, collaborating with universities, public bodies, and research centers to actively participate in international R&D programs.
The Energy Trilemma
01.
Decarbonization
Enviromental sustainability
Nuclear energy, like renewable energy, is emission-free. The technologies used to produce it reduce the environmental impact of the electricity system, thereby ensuring long-lasting benefits.
New generation nuclear technologies guarantee continuity and security of supply. With a reduced environmental impact, they contribute to building a cleaner and more stable future for people and the planet.
Supporting the transition means leaving future generations a healthier environment, a more robust energy system, and fewer environmental risks. This means an important legacy, built with clean technologies and responsible choices starting today.
02.
Energy security
A more resilient, independent, and reliable system
Within a diversified and more resilient generation mix, nuclear power plants guarantee reliable electricity supplies at all times, contributing to the growth of Italian industry's competitiveness and reducing energy imports from abroad.
New-generation modular technologies complement renewables by ensuring continuous and controllable production. In this way they contribute to grid stability and a more reliable supply over time, strengthening the system's ability to respond to demand even in the most challenging moments, integrating with other available sources.
The new nuclear power guarantees high standards of design, monitoring, and management. Safety is integrated from the design stage, with advanced technologies and reliable processes in the long term.
03.
Economic value
Financial sustainability
Nuclear energy is a strategic factor in strengthening national industrial capacity. The development of the supply chain helps consolidate Italy's role in the European context, promotes skilled employment, and creates new opportunities for businesses along the entire value chain.
Nuclear energy is a strategic factor in strengthening national industrial capacity. The development of the supply chain helps consolidate Italy's role in the European context, promotes skilled employment, and creates new opportunities for businesses along the entire value chain.
The development of a national nuclear energy supply chain triggers a virtuous circle through which Italy can further develop its technological expertise, acquiring a crucial role in Europe and the world, with positive economic repercussions.
Italy's new nuclear energy program could also have a positive impact on employment: jobs generated by nuclear power are typically highly skilled, and a return to nuclear power in Italy would also encourage specialist development by universities and research centers.
How we innovate
A technological relay race
The collaboration between Enel, Ansaldo Energia, and Leonardo enables us to leverage Italian technological expertise. This is the result of pioneering excellence dating back to the dawn of nuclear technology, which has maintained at a high level of knowledge to this day, making Italy the second largest nuclear industry in Europe. The country’s national ecosystem is ready to relaunch this cutting-edge pathway contributing to a cleaner energy mix and enriching the heritage acquired through continuous innovation.
This new nuclear power is becoming essential for achieving the 2050 decarbonization targets and increasing European energy security, in combination with renewables, supporting their penetration and increasing the overall resilience of the electricity system.
We are examining the most mature and innovative technologies, defining market requirements and selecting the most promising options, including through R&D programs and partnerships with the research and academic world.
Starting with advanced third-generation (III+) water-cooled Small Modular Reactors, we will continue with a veritable "technological relay race," in which the first baton will be passed to fourth-generation (IV) Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs). This will offer the possibility of reusing fuels from current water-cooled power plants. Looking ahead, the goal will be to implement the complex and promising technologies of nuclear fusion reactors.
In this technological relay race, safety for people and the environment is at the heart of all design and research, thanks to the use of SMRs, which enhance and automate the protection systems already in place today.
Insight & Education
Nuclear energy:
opportunities and new frontiers
Safe and controlled nuclear power
More manageable waste
In fourth-generation reactors, fuel can be reused, closing the fuel cycle and minimizing environmental impact. Thanks to technological advances, new reactors produce less waste, and this is easier to manage. Waste from new Plants will be disposed of together with waste from existing Italian power plants and waste from medical and research uses, without increasing the capacity requirements of current storage facilities.
Modularity and scalability
Traditional nuclear power plants are very large in size and power and require long lead times and massive investment. The new generation of SMRs and, in the future, AMRs, which are modular and scalable, can be built more quickly and efficiently.
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