Eneco’s Podini says Europe needs a 24/7 power strategy

Stefano Podini, chairman of Eneco Group, says Europe’s energy debate should shift from choosing between renewables and nuclear to building a system that can deliver constant supply, amid higher prices and renewed Middle East instability. He also argues AI-driven electricity demand and Italy’s heavy import dependence make long-term grid resilience more urgent.

Why it matters: - Europe’s energy security depends on continuous power, not just peak daytime renewable output. - Podini says energy shortages, high prices and industrial competitiveness are now linked to how quickly Europe can build a more resilient mix. - Italy remains especially exposed, with more than 80% dependence on foreign primary energy.

What happened: - Stefano Podini, chairman of Eneco Group, argued that Europe should move beyond a simple “renewables or nuclear” debate. - Podini said the real goal is an energy system that guarantees supply every hour of every day. - He made the case as renewed instability in the Middle East pushed energy prices higher again. - Podini said Europe should keep expanding renewables while adding storage, flexible gas generation and some next-generation nuclear power. - Eneco’s company announcement was published in Bolzano, Italy, on July 8, 2026.

The details: - Podini said renewables remain the cornerstone of the energy transition. - Podini said no modern industrial economy can rely on a single technology. - He pointed to Spain as an example of a strategy that combines multiple renewable sources, utility-scale battery storage systems, next-generation gas turbines and advanced nuclear power. - Podini said the biggest obstacle is political, not technological. - Large-scale energy infrastructure often takes 10 to 15 years before benefits become visible. - Podini said politics too often focuses on the next election instead of the next generation. - He said Europe should have started nuclear investments 15 years ago if it wanted lower energy costs today. - Podini pointed to Germany as an example of how persistently high electricity prices can weaken industrial competitiveness. - Podini said Italy can be electrically self-sufficient during some hours of the day when renewable production is high. - Italy still imports roughly 16% of its electricity consumption. - About 12 percentage points of that imported electricity comes from nuclear generation in France, Switzerland and Slovenia.

Between the lines: - Podini’s argument is a rebuke to policy debates that frame clean energy as an either-or choice. - The message also reflects a broader shift in Europe toward energy resilience, where storage, backup generation and import dependence matter as much as carbon goals. - AI adds a new pressure point because data centers need steady power 24 hours a day. - That demand profile favors systems that can provide constant output alongside intermittent renewables. - Podini’s framing suggests Europe may need to treat nuclear not as a rival to renewables, but as one tool in a more diversified grid.

What’s next: - Podini said Europe should continue expanding renewable generation. - He said Europe should also invest in storage technologies and maintain highly efficient flexible generation where needed. - Podini said policymakers should objectively assess the role next-generation nuclear power can play in long-term grid stability. - He argued the most important decisions are those whose benefits will arrive 10 to 15 years from now.

The bottom line: - Podini’s core message is simple: Europe cannot build energy independence with only midday solar and wind. A secure system needs storage, flexibility and constant power sources that can carry the grid through every hour of the day.