The largest energy provider in Italy Enel has announced a partnership with newcleo to collaborate on the UK-based ‘clean’ nuclear tech start-up’s generation IV nuclear technology.

The generation IV nuclear technology projects aim to provide the world “with a safe and stable power source, and significantly reduce existing volumes of radioactive waste to be used as reactor fuel”.

In a statement, the companies said that “Enel will collaborate with newcleo on projects related to this advanced nuclear technology, providing specialised expertise through sharing a number of the company’s qualified personnel”.

They added that newcleo has secured an option for Enel as the first investor in its first nuclear power plant which it will build outside of Italy.

newcleo said that it plans to design and construct a first-of-a-kind mini lead fast reactor, which will be deployed in France by 2030 followed by a 200 MWe commercial unit in the UK. The company said that it will also directly invest in a MOX (Mixed uranium / plutonium Oxide, manufactured from existing nuclear waste) plant to fuel its reactors.

Stefano Buono, chief executive of newcleo, said: “I am delighted that Enel has chosen to partner with newcleo. They are showing great foresight in being one of the first energy companies to appreciate and support our sustainable strategy and its impact on our collective future.”

Francesco Starace, CEO of Enel, said: “This collaboration with newcleo is the latest example of our tireless search for the best companies to join us on our journey towards a clean future and we look forward to supporting newcleo in its challenging but promising roadmap to provide zero-emission electricity in a safe, affordable and sustainable way.”

Nuclear energy is seeing a resurgence in interest around the world, with energy groups increasingly receptive to it as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. The topic is still controversial in Italy, where nuclear energy has been banned since a national referendum in 1987.

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