Overview

• Italy officially became a full member of the 14-nation alliance on June 16, ending its observer status at the EU energy council in Luxembourg.
• Membership grants Rome a seat in drafting the alliance’s work programme and access to new financing mechanisms for nuclear projects.
• The alliance, launched by France in 2023, now comprises 14 EU states with Estonia as an observer and Germany participating at the margins.
• Italy aims to commission small modular reactors by 2035 as part of its strategy to restart domestic nuclear energy production.
• The European Commission is preparing to ban all methane imports from Russia by the end of 2027 to enhance EU energy security.