Almaraz nuclear plant cleared for extension to 2030 by Spanish regulator

The Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) voted on Thursday to approve the technical report recommending that the two reactors at the Almaraz nuclear plant continue operating until June 2030. The approval includes safety conditions but does not require the owners to make major new investments. The decision now moves to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, which has about two months to grant the final licence.

Owners Iberdrola, Endesa and Naturgy had asked to postpone the planned closures of reactor I (scheduled for 1 Nov 2027) and reactor II (31 Oct 2028). Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said any extension must meet three criteria: nuclear safety, security of electricity supply and no additional cost to citizens. Almaraz holds the top international safety rating (WANO level 1) and contributes carbon‑free electricity, aligning with the EU’s taxonomy that recognises nuclear as part of the green transition.