French electric utility giant EDF announced on Tuesday a nuclear cooperation agreement in Italy with the steel industry federation to accelerate decarbonization of the sector, in a country that exited nuclear power nearly 35 years ago.
Agreement Objectives
The agreement aims to “promote cooperation in the use of nuclear energy to enhance the competitiveness and decarbonization of the Italian steel sector,” which is a significant emitter of greenhouse gases, EDF stated in a press release.
Partners in Collaboration
This “memorandum” of cooperation was signed with the Italian energy company Edison, the Italian power plant manufacturer Ansaldo Energia, the nuclear technology developer Ansaldo Nucleare, and Federacciai, the Italian steel industry federation.
“This marks a new milestone in establishing a roadmap for the revival of the nuclear option in Italy,” said Nicola Monti, CEO of Edison, quoted in the press release.
Italy’s Nuclear History
Italy stopped producing nuclear energy in the 1990s following a referendum decision in 1987 to phase out civilian nuclear power after the Chernobyl accident.
Co-Investment in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
With this agreement, the signatories commit to “evaluate co-investment opportunities in new nuclear energy and, in particular, in the construction of small modular reactors (SMRs) in Italy over the next decade, using EDF’s SMR technology, Edison’s expertise, and the engineering and industrial capabilities of Ansaldo Energia and Ansaldo Nucleare,” according to EDF’s statement.
Nuclear Supply from France
The parties also commit to “explore medium- or long-term nuclear energy supply options, primarily using the capacity of the existing interconnection between Italy and France, thus contributing to the decarbonization of steel production in Italy.”
Potential for Decarbonized Steel:
“Thanks to such agreements, Italy could become, within a few years, the first nation in the world to produce fully decarbonized steel,” said Antonio Gozzi, president of Federacciai, in the press release.
Nuclear power is regaining some favor in several European countries, driven by the imperative to move away from fossil fuels.