Spain extends largest nuclear plant in policy U-turn
Spain's leftist government has reversed course and extended the operating life of the country's largest nuclear plant to reduce exposure to turbulent energy markets, the state gazette showed on Friday.
Spain's leftist government has unexpectedly extended the operating life of the nation's largest nuclear plant, Almaraz, in a surprising policy shift. The decision, announced in the state gazette on Friday, is aimed at shielding the country from the volatility of energy markets, particularly following last year's nationwide blackout and soaring energy prices caused by the Middle East war.
Almaraz, located in the western region of Extremadura, was originally scheduled to close in 2028 as part of the government's plan to retire all nuclear reactors by 2035 and invest heavily in renewables. However, the three Spanish firms that own the plant - Iberdrola, Endesa, and Naturgy - petitioned the government last year to allow Almaraz to remain operational for an additional two years.
The extension, valid until June 8, 2030, is intended to provide temporary relief to the electricity system and Spanish consumers from unexpected price spikes. A government minister stated that the limited extension offers a temporary solution to the exposure and vulnerability that depend on fossil fuels for electricity. Nevertheless, Spain's far-left junior coalition partner, Sumar, strongly opposes the decision, accusing it of being driven by corporate interests rather than technical and environmental concerns or economic competitiveness.
Sumar argues that extending Almaraz's service life delays genuine decarbonisation and imposes undue costs and risks on society, potentially increasing energy prices. The government maintains that the extension poses a minimal impact on existing energy policy and does not alter the timeline for fully phasing out nuclear power by 2035.
The Almaraz plant, which generates about seven percent of Spain's electricity, is a vital source of employment and industry in the predominantly rural and depopulated Extremadura region. Local leaders welcomed the decision, praising it for providing stability and safeguarding an activity that has long been crucial for the well-being of the region's towns and families.
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