At a recent press event, the presidency signaled a firm stance on sticking to the published script about Spain’s nuclear plan. Ignacio Araluce, head of the Nuclear Forum, spoke with a quiet resolve, declining to reveal new details about the timing of the industry’s general agenda. The dialogue centered on whether power plants in Spain should continue operating beyond their current lifespans or adhere to an agreed shutdown schedule. The Forum noted a shutdown plan has been coordinated with the government and is being implemented on that basis.
Back in 2019, the government and major electricity producers reached a framework to phase out nuclear capacity, a move aimed at delivering a complete nuclear exit in Spain. The plan involved gradual plant closures between 2027 and 2035, with several operators including Endesa, Iberdrola, Naturalness, and EDP involved in the discussions. The chairman of the Nuclear Forum reaffirmed that the agreement remains in effect for now, highlighting that the cluster of companies operating nuclear facilities and those tied to the atomic industry continue to participate in the roadmap.
Thus far, nuclear operators have not engaged in a public clash with the government. They also recall the technical possibility of extending plant lifespans where permissible in other nations. The industry manager emphasized that debating adherence to the agreed timeline and strengthening nuclear usage amid the energy price crisis would be misguided, as there has not been significant investor interest in new nuclear projects under current market conditions.
Meanwhile the government has initiated updates to the General Plan for Radioactive Waste, which outlines long-term strategies for waste management, plant dismantling, and the costs involved. The refreshed plan upholds the 2027–2035 phase-out horizon and anticipates a definitive shutdown of nuclear activity by that window.
Theresa Rivera, the vice-president and minister overseeing ecological transition, outlined a scenario with clearly defined steps and no expectation of change. Officials stressed that no company has demonstrated serious appetite for major investments to extend the life of current facilities or build new ones in the near term. In contrast, Iberdrola’s Ignacio Sánchez Galán noted that the decision to retire reactors is ultimately political and country-specific. He added that Spanish reactors are prepared to operate as long as necessary but warned that doing so would demand substantial investment and compensation for costs incurred.
Industry voices argue that current market conditions justify a cautious approach. Efforts to manage gas prices and overall electricity costs have pushed utilities to focus on stabilizing the grid rather than pursuing aggressive nuclear extensions. Other measures in play include a ceiling on electricity prices, a mandatory electricity auction, and reforms aimed at sustaining the future Spanish electricity system against CO2-related revenue shifts.
Political Pressure Dimensions
The energy crisis, alongside volatile gas and electricity prices and geopolitical tensions from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has intensified calls for energy independence among political factions and business groups. In Congress, motions from parties such as the PP, Vox, and Ciudadanos urged extending plant lifespans to bolster energy sovereignty. The proposals sought to push back against a 2035 cutoff and to pause or revise current climate and emissions rules in response to market pressures.
The People’s Party leadership signaled an eagerness to reopen the nuclear discussion. Their economic plan, shared with the government, contemplates extending the useful life of reactors in step with European neighbors who are pursuing longer operation horizons.
Business Sector Demands
Business associations have joined the call to reexamine the nuclear exit schedule. Antonio Garamendi, president of a major employers’ group, has criticized Spain’s energy planning while acknowledging that other European nations are reviewing their own nuclear and coal phaseouts. Major industrial groups—Anfac, AOP, Aspapel, Feique, Fiab, Oficemen, and Unesid—have issued a joint appeal for a new assessment of the shutdown timetable, arguing that nuclear power can help moderate energy prices if managed prudently.
Industrial leaders insist that nuclear energy remains a reliable, low-emission contributor to the energy mix. They argue that its role is particularly valuable in mitigating price volatility in a market still influenced by global energy dynamics. They stress that any capability to continue operating must be accompanied by a sustainable financial framework that fairly reflects market realities.
Timing and Costs
The Nuclear Forum warns that reconsidering the reactor shutdown schedule cannot be delayed indefinitely. Investment plans for maintenance, safety upgrades, and eventual dismantling are time-bound and contingent on the expected operating conditions. Araluce cautions that any restart of the discussion should happen within a short window, ideally within a year or two. He also highlights concerns about the heavy tax burden on nuclear operations and the challenges of maintaining profitability as market prices and policy costs shift. The Forum notes that nuclear output is currently priced well below wholesale market levels, raising questions about long-term viability if the price structure does not reflect true operating costs.
Spain’s government has outlined a plan to retire the seven reactors now in operation. The proposed sequence places Almaraz I at 2027, Almaraz II at 2028, Ascó I at 2030, Cofrentes as the baseline, Ascó II at 2032, Vandellós II at 2035, and Trillo around 2035. The long-term waste roadmap remains pending, with options that include a single national repository or separate facilities at each plant. The policy framework keeps the shutdown timetable intact while exploring disposal and dismantling strategies and their associated costs.
Cited here are the official positions and industry perspectives contained in statements from public officials, corporate leaders, and the Nuclear Forum, all framed to reflect the evolving stance on nuclear energy within Spain’s broader energy transition. (Attribution: Nuclear Forum statements; government policy briefs; industry analyses.)