Spain extends largest nuclear plant in policy U-turn

Spain's leftist government has reversed its stance on extending the operational life of the country's largest nuclear plant, Almaraz, in a move to lessen its vulnerability to unstable energy markets, according to the state gazette. This decision, however, drew criticism from the far-left Sumar party, which forms part of the ruling coalition.

The Almaraz plant, located in Extremadura, was scheduled to shut down in 2028 as part of the government's plan to phase out all nuclear reactors by 2035, prioritizing investments in renewable energy sources. The three Spanish companies owning the plant - Iberdrola, Endesa, and Naturgy - requested a two-year extension last year. This increased attention to the phase-out, sparked by a nationwide blackout last year and soaring energy prices resulting from the Middle East conflict, reignited discussions about nuclear power across Europe.

On Wednesday, a ministerial order was published in the official state gazette, granting permission for the Almaraz plant to remain operational until June 8, 2030. This limited extension offers a temporary measure to reduce the system's exposure to unforeseen price spikes, the announcement stated. The government emphasized that renewable energy and storage systems will remain the primary structural solutions to address the risks associated with external dependence on fossil fuels.

The opposition Sumar party lambasted the decision, arguing that it was motivated by corporate interests rather than technical, environmental, or economic considerations. They asserted that extending the plant's lifespan beyond its intended service life would hinder genuine decarbonization and impose excessive costs and risks on society, as well as drive up energy prices.

The government defended the extension, asserting that it would only proceed if the plant adhered to stringent safety standards and did not impose additional burdens on taxpayers. They emphasized that the extension would have a "very limited impact" on the current energy policy and would not alter the overall timeline for nuclear phase-out, including the complete shutdown of all reactors by 2035.

Extending the Almaraz plant's operations benefits the region, providing job security and economic stability for the mostly rural and depopulated Extremadura. The region's leader, María Guardiola, welcomed the decision on X, highlighting the decision's role in offering certainty and safeguarding an activity that has been crucial to the livelihoods of many towns and families for decades.