Almaraz nuclear plant operation extended in Spain until 2030

The Spanish government has authorized an extension for the Almaraz nuclear power plant, allowing its two reactors to continue operating until June 2030. This decision delays the previously scheduled shutdowns for Almaraz I and II, which were originally set for late 2027 and 2028, respectively.

Officials justified the extension by citing energy market volatility driven by geopolitical crises in Ukraine and the Middle East. The plant provides a constant power supply of approximately 2,093.9 megawatts, which helps limit reliance on imported gas. The extension follows a favorable recommendation from the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN).

However, the move has drawn criticism from environmental groups like Greenpeace, who argue it slows Spain’s energy transition. Technical reports from the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya suggest the extension could lead to an accumulated cost of 3,831 million euros in electricity bills for households and SMEs by 2033. Additionally, critics suggest that maintaining inflexible nuclear capacity may discourage investment in renewable energy and storage, potentially resulting in a loss of up to 26,130 million euros in new clean energy installations by 2033.