Nuclear in Italy, the road ahead of us is long and bumpy

Photo gallery environment

6 photos

Ansa/Sky TG24

1/6 ©Ansa

NUCLEAR IN ITALY, THE ROAD AHEAD OF US IS LONG AND ROUGH

How difficult will Italy's path be to establish where to place the nuclear reactors that should come into operation between 2033 and 2034? The road ahead of us is very bumpy: according to government forecasts, dozens of reactors will be needed, but we still need to find the numerous areas that will host them. This was also discussed in the episode of Numeri, an in-depth analysis by Sky TG24, which aired on 25 September.

Nuclear, what stage is the development of small modular reactors at?

2/6 Sky TG24

THE TERRITORIES EXCLUDED A PRIORI TO HOST THE REACTORS

Many areas of Italy, due to their geomorphological characteristics, will be excluded a priori. The choice cannot fall on territories at seismic risk, flood risk, landslide risk, volcanic risk and drought risk, nor on those with high population density.

Nuclear, Pichetto: "In 2040 it will be able to make a contribution of 10%"

3/6 Sky TG24

SEISMIC RISK AND HYDROGEOLOGICAL RISK

Already taking into consideration only the seismic and hydrogeological risk, if you look at the maps of ISPRA (the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research), the areas excluded in our country are certainly not few.

When will the first reactors be built?

4/6 Sky TG24

THERE IS NO FUEL FOR THE NEW REACTORS

Then there is another question. For a large number of the new reactors on which Italy is focusing - the SMR, Small Modular Reactor - highly enriched uranium will be needed. At the moment, however, there is no uranium: most of what is available is low enriched. It may therefore be necessary to do it in Europe, or even in Italy.

5/6 Sky TG24

THE KNOT OF FUNDS

And then there is the issue of funds: the Minister of the Environment Pichetto Fratin hopes that private individuals will be interested in investing. But what happens in the rest of the world? Excluding Russia and China, in all other cases the new SMR reactors were financed for two thirds by public funds.

6/6 Sky TG24

THE CASE OF CANADA

Taking Canada as an example, where the only SMR reactor already under construction is located, the financing comes practically entirely (i.e. 97%) from state coffers.

The hypotheses in the field for new nuclear power plants in Italy

Environment: Latest gallery

Record heat, from the Danube to the Po: dry rivers in Europe. PHOTO

Environment

High temperatures and drought are putting the Old Continent to the test with its waterways...

15 photos

Because this year the blooms in Castelluccio di Norcia are redder

Environment

The flowering of Pian Grande appears this year in a different guise: the red of the...

8 photos

From the viper to the violin spider: the most dangerous animals in Italy

Environment

They can be more or less large in size, sometimes almost invisible to the naked eye, often...

11 photos

European Parks Day, the best for a nature safari

Environment

Today, Sunday 24 May, we celebrate European Parks Day and renew...

8 photos