18 Jan (NucNet): Spain’s fleet of seven commercial nuclear reactor units generated 53.2 TWh of electricity in 2018, a slight fall from 55.6 TWh in 2017 but still the largest source of generation in the country, industry group Foro Nuclear said.
Quoting figures from grid operator Red Eléctrica de España, or REE, Foro Nuclear said Spain’s nuclear fleet accounted for 7.09% of installed power generation capacity but produced 20.39% of electricity.
The plants were operational for an average of 82.10% of the time, Foro Nuclear said.
Coal produced 14.29% of Spain’s electricity from 9.62% of installed capacity and hydroelectric produced 13.82% from 19.5% of installed capacity.
Wind produced a 18.99% share from 22.04% of installed capacity and solar 2.95% from 4.51%.
Foro Nuclear president Ignacio Araluce said the nuclear sector’s performance “represents the availability, reliability, stability and predictability offered by nuclear energy” as it operates continuously and facilitates the proper management of the electric system.
He said nuclear power plants do not emit contaminating gasses or particles to the atmosphere. In 2017 nuclear production accounted for almost 35% of emissions-free electricity generated in Spain.
