7 Sep (NucNet): An energy mix that incorporates nuclear is “the most advantageous” in economic and environmental terms and could save Italy up to 69 billion euro (EUR) (88 billion US dollars) between 2020 and 2030 compared to a mix that does not include nuclear, a study says.
The International Energy Agency-led study on nuclear power in Italy concludes that if nuclear accounts for 25 percent of electricity generation by 2030, Italy will save up to EUR 57 billion in generation costs and up to 381 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
It says introducing nuclear power would reduce and stabilise energy costs and prices, and would improve the energy supply chain resulting in a positive impact on end-users.
Nuclear would reduce Italy’s dependency on overseas energy sources and, among a number of “considerable benefits”, would act as a driver for development.
The study says 14 percent of Italy’s annual electricity consumption is imported, making it one of the world’s top five importers of energy. It notes that Italy’s energy prices are from 25-30 percent higher than the European Union average and prone to high volatility.
The study was chaired by the IEA's chief economist, Fatih Birol, and was presented on 5 September 2010 at a business and policy conference at Lake Como in Italy.
In February 2010 Italy moved a step closer to reinstating nuclear energy, abandoned more than 20 years ago in the wake of the Chernobyl accident, after the government gave final approval to a decree setting out steps for the construction of new units.
The decree is designed to pave the way for starting work on new plants in 2013 and production of the first nuclear power in 2020.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Italy’s Senate Approves ‘Historic Return’ To Nuclear Power (News No. 48, 10 July 2009)
Italy Paves Way For New Nuclear Build In 2013 (News In Brief No. 27, 10 February 2010)
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