30 March 2026
Italy delays coal-phase out to 2038
30 March 2026
Over the weekend, the Italian government decided to delay its coal phase-out by more than a decade, from 2025 to 2038. This amendment to the ‘energy bills’ decree, which was originally intended to protect consumers from price shocks, was approved on Friday 27 March during its review in Parliament.
Under the pretext of energy security, the government is extending the life of some of the oldest, most polluting power plants in the country, facilities that today generate less than 1% of Italy’s electricity but impose disproportionate costs for public health, the climate, and consumers.
European countries’ overreliance on gas is creating a dangerous pattern: an energy crisis triggered by fossil fuel dependence is met with… more fossil fuels. Once again, geopolitical tensions are being used as justification to double down on the very sources that created the vulnerability in the first place. Looking to countries like Germany as justification for prolonging coal use risks repeating short-term, crisis-driven decisions that undermine long-term climate and energy security goals.
Coal is not a safety net, it is a costly liability and a major contributor to air pollution, raising energy bills and endangering the public’s health. More coal also undermines Europe’s and Italy’s climate targets.
The real solution to energy security is already available: accelerating the deployment of renewables, strengthening grids, and investing in clean flexibility. These technologies reduce dependence on imported fuels, shield consumers from price volatility and deliver cleaner air. To get there, Italy needs to unlock its massive backlog of 350 GW of renewable energy projects and 269 GW of storage systems waiting for grid connection. Spain is a clear example of how beneficial these political and industrial choices can be for citizens and businesses.
“The Italian government’s decision to delay the coal phase-out to 2038 is a baffling mistake. This is not a short-term emergency measure, but a long-term prolongation of one of the dirtiest fuels in the power system. It goes against the public interest, driving up bills, worsening air pollution, and increasing the Italian economy’s vulnerability to energy insecurity. Instead of using the gas crisis as an excuse to lock in coal for another decade, Italy should be accelerating renewables, storage and clean flexibility to strengthen energy security and cut people’s energy bills,” said Alexandru Mustață, campaigner at Beyond Fossil Fuels.
Paola Matova, Energy Campaign at ReCommon: “Using the narrative of energy security as a pretext to postpone Italy’s coal phase-out to 2038 is a regressive and unjustifiable move. Keeping plants like Brindisi, Civitavecchia, and those in Sardinia (Fiume Santo and Portovesme) on stand-by, while doubling down on gas and LNG, deepens a structural dependence on volatile and polluting fossil fuels. This is not energy security, it is a political choice that exploits instability to justify inaction and the recent crisis in the Middle East proves this.”
ENDS
About us
Beyond Fossil Fuels is a civil society network committed to ensuring a just and rapid transition to a fossil-free, renewables-based future. Building upon the Europe Beyond Coal campaign, its goal is for Europe to be coal-free by 2030 and phase out fossil gas from the power sector by 2035. A clean and flexible energy system will deliver lasting benefits for people, the climate and the broader economy. Beyond Fossil Fuels is a non-profit organisation with an office in Berlin, with staff spread across Europe.
Contacts
Julia Pazos, Communications Manager, Beyond Fossil Fuels – julia.pazos@bff.earth
Alexandru Mustață, Coal and Gas Campaigner, Beyond Fossil Fuels – alexandru.mustata@bff.earth