Italy Delays Coal Phaseout to 2038 Amid Iran Crisis as Renewables Surge Globally

Italy’s lower house voted on April 14, 2026, to extend operations of its four standby coal plants to 2038, delaying the EU-mandated December 2025 closure by 13 years. The move addresses the global energy crunch from the Iran conflict, where gas prices exceed EUR70/MWh (USD81/MWh). Global renewables deployment accelerates, offsetting fossil fuel policy shifts.