The Illusion of Nuclear Power and the Renewable Energy Revolution
The book and the authors. “The Sustainability Coffee”, scheduled for tomorrow, April 21, at 11:30 a.m. at the Polytechnic. First event with Gianni Silvestrini and Giuseppe Onufrio. An initiative of the Apulian Productive District of Renewable Energies “La Nuova Energia” and the Polytechnic University of Bari
April 20, 2026
Is it possible to imagine a world powered 100% by renewable energy? Gianni Silvestrini and Giuseppe Onufrio answer the question with data and real cases that dismantle, one by one, the myths of a return to nuclear power. They do so in their essay: “The illusion of nuclear power and the revolution of renewables”, Edizioni Ambiente, 240 pages, 22 euros.
From endless construction sites and extremely high costs to the risks of accidents; from waste management to decommissioning, nuclear power appears to be a rigid, expensive technology poorly suited to combating the climate crisis. The authors show why nuclear power cannot compete with renewables in terms of cost, speed, scalability, and flexibility. At the same time, the book tells the story of the revolution already underway, showing how solar and wind have become the most affordable options. Mobility, construction, and industry are the decisive fields in which to drive the transition with concrete solutions and scenarios that point to a feasible route toward a sustainable, fair, and credible energy system.
Two opposing stories that intertwine: that of a technology in difficulty and that of an accelerating transformation will be told by the authors, tomorrow, Tuesday, 21 April, 11:30 a.m., at the Polytechnic at the university library, “PoliLibrary” (university campus) on the occasion of “The Sustainability Coffee”, a series of events and debates curated by the Apulian Productive District of Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency “La Nuova Energia” and the Polytechnic University of Bari. “The Sustainability Coffee” aims to provide businesses, institutions, and civil society with a space for discussion and shared reflection on the key themes of responsible and sustainable development of the global economy and its relaunch.
In the first 2026 event, the authors will speak with Prof. Riccardo Amirante, Full Professor of Energy Systems at the Polytechnic, Prof. Umberto Berardi, Full Professor of Technical Physics at the Polytechnic, and the President of the District, Beppe Bratta.
Free admission.
Who are the guests and authors.
Gianni Silvestrini conducted research activities at the CNR and the Polytechnic University of Milan. He was Director General of the Ministry of the Environment and advisor to the Ministry of Economic Development. He is currently Scientific Director of Kyoto Club and of the magazine and portal QualEnergia. He is president of Exalto Energy & Innovation and chairs the Scientific Committee of Key – The Energy Transition Expo. He has published several works with Edizioni Ambiente.
Giuseppe Onufrio conducted research in the energy and environmental fields, collaborating with scientific institutions and associations between 1985 and 1997. Active in environmental movements since the 1970s, he has combined research work with a constant and direct commitment to environmental protection. He served on the board of directors of the National Agency for Environmental Protection, now ISPRA. He was scientific director of the Italian Sustainable Development Institute, now the Foundation for Sustainable Development. At Greenpeace Italy, he served as campaigns director from 2006. He is part of the European network Nuclear Transparency Watch.
The article The Illusion of Nuclear Power and the Renewable Energy Revolution comes from Poliba Chronicle.