This shift follows a bill approved by the Chamber of Deputies.
The move signals the right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's intent to scale back climate change policies in the face of growing energy supply challenges triggered by the conflict in Iran.
Italy currently has four coal-fired plants on standby, three of which are owned by Enel.
Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin stated this month that these facilities could be reactivated should the conflict in the Middle East spark an energy crisis.
Under the 2024 National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (Pniec), Italy was scheduled to phase out coal entirely by the end of 2025. The decree extending the deadline to 2038 still requires Senate approval, but given the government's backing, clearance is widely expected.
(Translated by Claudio Leonel Piacquadio, edited by Stefano Bernabei)
