Italy could temporarily return to coal-fired power if natural gas prices spike, a scenario that would directly challenge Europe’s climate goals.
Speaking in Milan on April 20 at the “Holy Grail of Energy” meeting, Italy’s Minister for the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said coal remains a fallback option if gas prices rise above €70 per megawatt-hour.
“It is a high figure,” he noted, adding that current prices are around €40, well below the risk threshold.
A Crisis Scenario Still on the Table
Despite relatively stable prices today, Rome is not ruling out emergency measures. Pichetto Fratin described coal as a “residual solution”, not part of long-term policy but something the country must be ready to use if market conditions worsen.
At the same time, he firmly dismissed any return to Russian gas imports, stressing that Italy remains aligned with European Union policy and will take future decisions at the European level.
A Decision Already Made
Italy has already delayed the permanent closure of its four coal-fired power plants to 2038, after the war in the Middle East caused electricity production costs from gas to spike. The government inserted the measure into a broader bill aimed at addressing the energy crisis, which parliament approved after the government tied it to a confidence vote.
Italy has four coal-fired power plants left but only two, both in Sardinia, are still producing electricity. The other two, run by Enel in Brindisi and Civitavecchia, were shut down at the end of last year after becoming uneconomic. The government intervened at the last minute, requiring them to remain on standby in case of an energy crisis.
Global Risks Are Driving Uncertainty
The warning comes amid growing instability in global energy markets. Ongoing tensions affecting key supply routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, continue to shape price expectations. “We are facing surprises day by day,” the minister said, pointing to the unpredictability of geopolitical developments.
Climate Goals vs Energy Reality
The possibility of returning to coal highlights a deeper tension at the heart of Europe’s energy transition. Countries are trying to cut emissions and accelerate clean energy investments, yet they cannot compromise on energy security when markets turn volatile.
In times of crisis, governments may still fall back on even the most carbon-intensive fuels as a last resort. Italy’s 2038 coal deadline makes that official.