Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant resumes operator training amid extension talks

The Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant has resumed training new control room operators, a process that had been paused due to uncertainty regarding the plant's potential closure between 2027 and 2028. Six new operators are currently preparing for licensing, which is seen as a sign of commitment from the plant's owners toward operational continuity. Obtaining a nuclear operator license requires approximately three years of specialized training and an engineering degree.

If the plant's owners seek to extend operations beyond the currently scheduled 2030 shutdown, technical work must begin as early as 2027. This involves preparing a Periodic Safety Review (RPS), an exhaustive technical assessment of the facility's equipment, safety systems, and aging status. A formal request for an extension would need to be submitted before the end of the first quarter of 2029.