Nuclear plant’s two reactors scheduled for shutdown in 2027 and 2028
Spanish energy companies Iberdrola, Endesa and Naturgy have requested to extend the operational life of their two-unit Almaraz nuclear power plant by about three years, until June 2030, a spokesperson for Spain’s energy ministry said.
A major blackout in April revived the debate over the need for baseload nuclear power in the country, which plans to close all of its seven commercial nuclear units by 2035.
The move by the three companies could be the first step to Madrid rethinking its plan to shut down the country’s fleet of reactors.
The three companies own the Almaraz plant, with Iberdrola controlling a stake of almost 53%, followed by Endesa’s 36% and Naturgy’s roughly 11%.
Almaraz, in western Spain, is the country’s largest-capacity nuclear power station. Its reactors are slated to be shut down in 2027 and 2028.
According to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) data, Almaraz’s two Westinghouse pressurised water reactor units have a combined net capacity of 2,017 MW. Almaraz-1 began commercial operation in 1983 and Almaraz-2 in 1984.
The total net capacity of Spain’s seven commercial nuclear plants is 7,123 MW. In 2023 they provided 20.3% of the country’s electricity production, according to the IAEA.
Similar reports emerged in May, when Endesa chief executive officer Jose Bogas was quoted a saying the three companies were seeking to postpone the planned closure of Almaraz until 2030.
Madrid-based Foro Nuclear, an industry group which represents companies in the nuclear sector, has repeatedly called for dialogue with the government on plans to phase out nuclear energy.
It said recently that in the current global geopolitical context, and especially in Europe, where nuclear energy has been recognised in the green taxonomy, almost all industrialised countries are choosing to expand their nuclear fleets.
