Go ahead with nuclear power, Pichetto:“Italy in research on small modular reactors”

Italy joins the European Industrial Alliance on small modular reactors.And in the meantime, on decarbonisation, for Minister Pichetto we must hurry to "decarbonise all transport sectors", from planes to cars

ROME – Italy continues on the nuclear path and, by joining the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs, will soon work on development of new cutting-edge technologies on small modular reactors.This was announced by the Minister of the Environment Gilberto Pichetto, speaking at the conference 'The role of nuclear power in the energy transition' organized as part of the Planet Week for the G7 Environment, Climate and Energy underway in Turin.

“MASE JOINS THE ALLIANCE ON SMALL MODULAR REACTORS”

“The European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors (Smr-Small Modular Reactors, ed.), launched by the European Commission in February 2024 with the aim of accelerate the development and deployment of SMRs in Europe in the early 2030s, is seeing a consistent Italian participation, among the first on a continental level both in terms of numbers and skills in the academic and industrial research and development fields.Therefore, in line with the political mandate started with the parliamentary motions of May 2023 and continued with the establishment of the National Platform for Sustainable Nuclear at the Mase, we have decided to join as Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security theEuropean Industrial Alliance on SMRs, to confirm the support of the country system and give a concrete signal of interest to development of new cutting-edge technologies on small modular reactors, which can make an important contribution to achieving European decarbonisation objectives", said Pichetto from Planet Week in Turin.

“BIOFUELS ESSENTIAL TO DECARBONIZE TRANSPORT”

“Sustainable biofuels can and must make a fundamental contribution to decarbonisation of the transport sector globally, bringing significant benefits:greater energy security, ease of integration into current fuel logistics, storage and distribution systems as well as use in existing vehicles, promotion of a circular economy logic and creation of value for local communities, promoting sustainable agricultural and forestry practices".This is the message launched by Gilberto Pichetto, Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, during the Turin International Forum on Sustainable Biofuels organized by MASE in collaboration with the Polytechnic of Turin, an event of the Planet Week underway in the Piedmontese capital a few hours away since the start of the G7 Climate, Energy and Environment.

“DECARBONIZE ALL TRANSPORT SECTORS”

The decarbonisation of transport is a priority to reach the climate neutrality target by 2050.Despite the efforts made in recent years, fossil fuels still represent around 95% of the energy needs of the transport sector, which accounts for around a quarter of global energy consumption and a fifth of CO2 emissions.

“It is necessary to put in place and implement - said Pichetto - all solutions, with a view to technological neutrality, to decarbonise all transport sectors:air, sea and road.In this context, sustainable biofuels are among the main pillars of the decarbonisation of the transport sector, together with electrification, energy efficiency and other sustainable fuels.We cannot wait any longer,” added the minister.

The Turin International Forum on Sustainable Biofuels was also an opportunity for industry, trade associations and research and development bodies to present a Joint Declaration to the G7 Ministers, including those of the host countries of the Italian G7 Presidency , signed by over 70 companies, aimed at underlining the role of sustainable biofuels in all transport sectors, promoting environmental sustainability, innovation, social aspects and the creation of value for local communities.
“Italy warmly welcomes the Turin Joint Declaration on Sustainable Biofuels.I also consider it very important that the signing of the Declaration, coordinated by the CEM - Biofuture Campaign, remains open until the G20 Ministerial in October in Brazil, as a sign of strong collaboration and common purpose between the G7 and G20 Presidencies", concluded Gilberto Pichetto, Minister of the Environment and Energy Security.