In the delicate global context of sustainability and energy supply, what are the main priorities of your Ministry?

We must leverage every available technology, carefully balancing costs and economic opportunities. A priority for the Ministry is to create a favorable regulatory framework for renewable energy development through simplification and reduction of bureaucracy. We are committed to achieving 8 GW of renewable energy annually. 
 
The Russian-Ukrainian war and the conflict in the Middle East have further underscored the need to strengthen the diversification of energy supplies for European countries, especially for nations like Italy with limited domestic resources. We have increased regasification capacity and strongly believe in the potential of hydrogen. 
 
Italy can play a pivotal role in the EU’s hydrogen strategy, both in production and as a transit and export hub. Our country is focused on the South H2 Corridor, a transportation infrastructure connecting North Africa to Germany via Italy. Finally, we are also very interested in carbon capture and storage technologies. 

What role will nuclear power play in the transition? 

At the Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security, we have established the National Platform for Sustainable Nuclear Energy.  

We have encouraged the participation of key public research bodies, representatives from universities, scientific associations, public entities working in nuclear safety and decommissioning, as well as companies already investing in the nuclear sector, including the production of components and plants. 

The next step is to define the legal framework for new nuclear energy while advancing research and experimentation. I believe one of the most significant challenges is to continue engaging in dialogue about the energy transition, exploring all solutions without ideological constraints. 

In line with this, the PNIEC sets goals of 131 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and 8 GW of nuclear energy by 2050. I see nuclear energy as a complement to a system increasingly dominated by renewables. 
 
Nuclear energy is essential to ensure the power supply for our industrial system and to help keep final consumer prices in check. 

What role can Italian companies play? 

Italian companies have already demonstrated their ability to develop top-level technologies and expertise in this sector. We are now at a critical juncture where sustainability must become a driving factor for industrialization. The government’s actions, aimed at ensuring the country’s economic recovery and supporting those sectors that are struggling the most, will work synergistically toward enhancing the effectiveness of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and achieving the National Plan for Energy and the Climate goals.