Italy Postpones National Coal Phaseout as Iran War Triggers Emergency Energy Reopening

Italy prepares to restart coal-fired plants and postpones its 2025 phaseout deadline as the Iran war disrupts global oil and gas supplies.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 10:33 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from POWER Magazine

Emergency Reactivation of Fossil Fuel Infrastructure

Italian energy officials have confirmed they are prepared to resume operations at the nation’s four decommissioned or idling coal-fired power stations to combat a mounting energy crisis. Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin stated that the reactivation is a direct response to the volatile supply chain for oil and natural gas caused by the conflict in Iran. This emergency measure is designed to provide a baseline of energy security as traditional Mediterranean fuel routes face unprecedented instability, forcing the government to prioritize immediate grid reliability over long-term environmental targets.

Legislative Shift and Extended Operational Timelines

The move to revive coal generation coincides with a drastic revision of Italy's climate roadmap via a new energy bill. While the country’s 2024 energy and climate plan originally decreed a total coal exit by the end of 2025, the new legislation proposes pushing that deadline back to 2038. This thirteen-year extension represents a significant retreat from prior commitments, reflecting a broader strategy by the Meloni administration to challenge European Union climate mandates in favor of national industrial interests.

Economic Stability Versus Environmental Mandates

The right-wing governing coalition has framed the return to coal as a matter of "industrial competitiveness" and "economic stability." Government ministers argue that the severity of the current shortage leaves the state with no choice but to utilize every available resource to prevent a domestic collapse. According to Tommaso Foti, Minister for European Affairs, the current geopolitical climate dictates that all energy sources must be used to their fullest potential in the immediate future to protect Italian businesses and households from surging costs.