Italy’s Edison has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with France’s EDF and Italy’s ENEA under which the companies will collaborate on industrial applications of small modular reactors (SMRs). Edison explained in a note that the collaboration will focus on the analysis of thermal hydraulic and passive safety systems, new technologies, integral system operation, and the opportunity to provide electricity and heat in cogeneration mode for industrial needs.
A key part of the agreement is the opportunity to provide electricity and heat in cogeneration mode for industrial needs. In addition to technological research, the protocol also provides for training activities and exchange of know-how between researchers and PhD students, thus strengthening the skills and synergies between the partners.
Through this collaboration, Edison, EDF and ENEA aim to consolidate the European role in the research and development of advanced nuclear technologies, paving the way for a decarbonized industrial future. A synergy that, as underlined by all the protagonists, represents a milestone towards sustainability and energy security.
Bernard Salha, EDF Group Chief Technical Officer said the collaboration is a practical and effective way to overcome the barriers that hinder the diffusion of small modular reactors in Europe. “By leveraging our combined expertise and resources, we are committed to developing innovative solutions that will contribute to Europe’s carbon neutrality goals.”
Edison and ENEA are looking to take a leading role in Italt’s nuclear development. “This agreement strengthens Italian leadership in large-scale experimentation, passive systems and integral testing”, explains Alessandro Dodaro, Director of ENEA’s Nuclear Department. “The agreement with EDF and Edison will strengthen the Italian role in Europe in the development of innovative nuclear technologies, with the aim of supporting the Italian supply chain in penetrating the European SMR market and strengthening ENEA’s leadership in the field of innovative nuclear technologies.”
Lorenzo Mottura Executive Vice President of Edison’s Strategy, Innovation, Research & Development and Digital section, noted: “Thanks to the collaboration with ENEA, one of the Italian reference players for research on new nuclear power, we are making a further concrete step towards the use of new nuclear technologies to support the Italian industrial system, pooling technical and scientific skills, experience in the management of nuclear plants and a forward-looking vision.”
Italy was a leading nuclear power-producing country in the 1960s but chose to phase out its four nuclear plants after a 1987 referendum following the Chernobyl disaster. It closed its last two operating plants, Caorso and Trino Vercellese, in 1990. The fourth Berlusconi government attempted to launch a new nuclear power programme but that was also rejected by a referendum in 2011, shortly after the Fukushima accident.
However, in May 2023, the Italian Parliament approved a motion urging the government to consider incorporating nuclear power into the energy mix. The following September, the first meeting was held of the National Platform for a Sustainable Nuclear, set up to consider the possible resumption of nuclear energy in Italy. The government included potential new nuclear capacity in its National Integrated Energy & Climate Plan, which was submitted to the European Commission in July 2024.
In March 2023, EDF signed a Letter of Intent with Italy’s Ansaldo Energia, Ansaldo Nucleare and Edison to assess potential industrial cooperation for the development of nuclear power in Europe, including in Italy, specifically in the field of SMRs. The companies are looking to develop industrial cooperation. July 2024 saw a MOU signed between EDF, Edison, Federacciai, Ansaldo Energia and Ansaldo Nucleare aimed at promoting cooperation in the use of nuclear energy to boost the competitiveness and decarbonisation of the Italian steel industry. This included investigating new nuclear energy and, in particular, in the construction of SMRs in Italy over the coming decade.
In November 2024, France’s Framatome established a branch in Italy with offices in Milan and Turin. Italian employees “will support the existing fleet and contribute to the development of nuclear energy in Europe from their home country”. This followed a cooperation agreement for scientific and technological research and training in the field of nuclear energy, signed the previous July by Framatome, Edison and Politecnico di Milano.
The agreement provided for pooling of technical knowledge and expertise in order to jointly develop research, development and innovation activities for the nuclear sector. It envisaged joint projects through internships, master’s degree and doctoral dissertations, seminars, workshops and other similar initiatives on technical topics of mutual interest. It will also provide for the organisation of meetings and training courses as well as visits for students and their respective employees to Framatome’s production sites and plants and the Politecnico di Milano’s and Edison’s research laboratories.
Framatome CEO Bernard Fontana said creation of the Italian branch marked a new step in the company’s long-standing cooperation with Italy. “Framatome has been hiring talented Italian engineers in France for over 40 years. This branch offers engineers the possibility of working in Italy, while contributing to the development of low carbon energy.”
