In the 80s, with the sudden change in the energy strategy in Italy and the consequent neglect of the nuclear source, the Country started the decommissioning of nuclear installations that were no longer necessary.
This procedure is entrusted to SO.G.I.N., a state company responsible for the decommissioning of Italian nuclear plants and for the management of radioactive waste including those produced by industrial, research and nuclear medicine activities.
The SO.G.I.N provides for the dismantling of:
- 4 former nuclear power plants (Trino, Caorso, Latina and Garigliano) owned by ENEL
- 4 fuel cycle research facilities (Eurex, Itrec, OPEC and IPU) owned by ENEA
- 1 fuel manufacturing plant (Bosco Marengo) owned by ENI
- 1 European research center (ISPRA of Varese)
The "decommissioning" activities are:
- keeping the systems safe
- removal of spent nuclear fuel
- decontamination and decommissioning of nuclear installations
- management and safety of radioactive waste, pending their transfer to the National Repository
- final radiological characterization