Tarragona, Guadalajara, Burgos, Valencia and Cáceres. Map nuclear. There are only five states in Spain. Yet in truth it is closer to four today, since the Santa María de Garoña plant in Burgos has been inactive since December 2012 and is being dismantled. The reactors that have stood in the Tobalina Valley for decades will soon be memories. Although total numbers are modest, the country ranks second in Europe for reactors in operation, tied with Belgium and behind France, which operates 59 reactors. Spain has long been a vocal advocate of an energy source that has carried a stigma. The government has already signaled plans to build eight additional facilities.
Despite some drawbacks, the international community recognizes that nuclear power also offers advantages. This does not mean there is universal agreement that benefits offset the risks. The most commonly cited advantage is the low level of greenhouse gas emissions. A 2013 dossier from researchers at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies found that over four decades, nuclear energy prevented about 64 billion tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, contributing to 1.8 million fewer pollution-related deaths.
The most important advantage is that greenhouse gas emissions are low.
Even with its drawbacks, notably waste and the potential for serious accidents, the debate is gaining traction. Michael Shellenberger, president and founder of Environmental Progress, argues that nuclear power is among the cleanest and fastest routes to decarbonization. He also contends that shutting down plants pushes electricity generation toward fossil fuels. To bolster his stance, he challenges renewable energy advocates by noting, for instance, the amount of toxic waste produced during solar panel production.
Map of Spanish nuclear power plants — Ministry of Industry.
Nuclear energy appears to offer greater stability since it does not depend on solar hours or wind fluctuations. This helps explain why Spain holds a substantial share of the electricity mix: the latest figures show nuclear contributing about 22.2% in 2021, second to wind energy, while installed capacity remains relatively modest. During the pandemic year 2020, the share surpassed 33%. In terms of employment, around 30,000 people are employed in the sector.
A ‘green’ energy?
Although opinions diverge, supranational bodies have leaned toward accepting nuclear power as part of a green transition. In July 2022 the European Parliament categorized nuclear energy (alongside gas) as green, enabling private projects to compete for state aid on equal terms with solar and wind. The United Nations also took a favorable stance. A later European Commission advisory panel published a critical report, listing risks to water resources, the move toward a circular economy, and biodiversity protection as key concerns.
Asco nuclear power plant — Efe.
Beyond the plants themselves, critics point to other steps in the nuclear cycle: uranium mining, fuel fabrication, reactor construction and dismantling, and transport. Ecologytas en Acción notes that a full life-cycle analysis shows the mining process requires significant cement and other materials, potentially creating a larger carbon footprint than some renewables.
Waste: A problem without a solution
The World Nuclear Waste Report notes that no solution has yet convinced everyone on waste treatment. The International Atomic Energy Agency stresses that progress has been made in waste management and, in particular, supports deep geological storage. Finland’s Olkiluoto repository, for example, serves as a model: its tunnels extend hundreds of meters underground, designed to safely contain waste for the next 100,000 years with a project cost of about 2 billion euros.
Waste remains the principal obstacle. Greenpeace emphasizes that the danger persists for centuries, arguing that radioactive waste tracks are highly polluting and long-lasting, and that there is no demonstrated guarantee against leakage. Critics warn that risks to humans and ecosystems must be weighed against any perceived benefits.
No one wants a nuclear ‘mega graveyard’
In Spain, a plan for a Villar de Cañas repository faced public resistance and political pushback. Earlier, in 2023 the government approved a broad plan for radioactive waste management, proposing seven decentralized repositories co-located with each facility. Critics warn that such sites could hinder land reuse and create long-term burdens for local communities.
“The danger of waste will not disappear until centuries pass,” reminds Greenpeace
In public memory, high-profile accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima color the perception of nuclear power. Even decades later, their impacts linger. Fukushima, in particular, underscored climate-change-related risks and exposed coastal communities to new vulnerabilities. The debate continues to unfold as governments weigh safety, stability, and environmental costs.
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REPORT. Alfredo García, Telecommunications engineer and broadcaster
«Spain’s high activity waste fits into a 13 meter cube»
Spreading awareness about the role of nuclear energy in fighting climate change is a task for social media and public discussion alike. This narrative is part of a broader dialogue about how countries balance emissions, energy security, and economic considerations.
-Can nuclear energy be part of the solution to the climate crisis?
It has shown strong potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In large economies, nuclear energy holds a meaningful share of the low-emission electricity mix, providing stability and reliability for consumers. Recent discussions at COP28 highlighted its role as part of the toolkit for reducing emissions in a sustainable way.
-One of the main counterarguments is waste management. Can it be handled sustainably?
The issue is technically resolved through established standards, with ongoing inspections by national and international bodies. Waste storage is relatively compact in volume, and Spain’s plan envisions a deep geological repository by around 2070. The approach emphasizes containment in armored, airtight containers, cooled by natural air, and designed to resist seismic, missile, and aircraft impacts.
-Could Finland’s large geological repository be replicated in Spain?
After surface storage, deep geological storage is the next step. Finland is completing a repository at about 500 meters depth in a geologically stable area, designed to isolate waste for the time it remains hazardous. This model aims to minimize ongoing maintenance costs once sealed. Spain’s plan envisions a similar solution in the future, guided by scientific consensus.
-Should the government revisit its plant closure strategy?
Critics warn that closing reactors could push gas-fired generation, raising emissions, costs, and dependence on external suppliers. Some utilities warn of potential power outages. Advocates argue that renewables must be complemented by storage advances, recognizing intermittent supply and the current limits of battery storage.
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