Spanish utilities push to postpone nuclear plant closures

At the III Mediterranean Economic and Social Forum in Barcelona, Mario Ruiz‑Tagle, chief executive of Iberdrola Spain, and Gonzalo Carbó, head of nuclear at Endesa, said nuclear power plants are indispensable for Spain’s electricity system. They argued that, amid the energy‑price shock caused by the war in the Middle East and a 70% reliance on fossil fuels, nuclear plants provide a "life‑insurance" for supply security and help keep electricity prices competitive.

The utilities have formally asked the Spanish government to delay the scheduled shutdown of reactors slated between 2027 and 2035, citing the need for storage capacity from batteries and pumped‑hydro before a fully renewable grid is possible. They specifically request extending the operation of the Almaraz plant until at least 2030, meeting three government conditions: no extra cost to consumers, guaranteed plant safety, and essential supply security. The companies also called for a review of the high taxation applied to nuclear facilities.