Italian Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin has indicated that Italy may shut down its coal-fired power plants in 2024, one year ahead of schedule, if gas prices remain low, as reported by Reuters on June 5. Italy is currently reviewing its plan for energy and climate (PNIEC), which aims to phase out coal usage entirely by 2025. Pichetto Fratin disclosed that the environment ministry will release an updated strategy for energy and climate in late June. The new strategy aims to increase the share of renewable energy in total power generation to two-thirds by 2030, compared to the current one-third.

Italy’s potential closure of coal-fired power stations in 2024 underscores the nation’s commitment to clean energy and addressing climate change. Last year, coal accounted for 7.5% of Italy’s overall power production, rising from 4.6% in 2021 due to the disruptions in oil and gas supply following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, with natural gas prices in Europe returning to pre-war levels this year, Italy’s energy transition goals are back on track. The country intends to capitalize on low oil and gas prices and use gas as a transitional fuel during the development of renewables. In addition, Minister Pichetto Fratin also mentioned the possibility of reintroducing nuclear power, which was abandoned in Italy in the late 1980s. The minister acknowledged arguments from analysts that renewables alone may not be sufficient to meet Italy’s future energy needs and stated that the decision to revive nuclear power will be left to future governments.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-could-abandon-coal-by-2024-environment-minister-says-2023-06-05/

https://bnn.network/breaking-news/italy-considers-closing-coal-fired-power-stations-in-2024-amid-low-gas-prices/

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/06/energy/natural-gas-pre-war-price/index.html

https://clean-energy-islands.ec.europa.eu/countries/italy