The Trillo nuclear power plant has successfully completed its 37th refueling outage, consolidating its safety record with a fourth consecutive refueling outage with no lost-time occupational accidents. More than a thousand external technicians, belonging to some 40 national and international companies, temporarily joined the plant’s regular staff.
Technical improvements and zero incidents at Trillo nuclear power plant
During this technical shutdown, 20,000 work orders were executed ranging from fuel element replacement to upgrades to critical systems such as the YQ10 intranuclear instrumentation system and the RL feed motor. Key components were also upgraded, such as the quick-acting shutoff valves of the nuclear cooling system were also upgraded..
In addition, 21 design modifications were implemented to adapt the plant to new industrial requirements, optimize processes and increase technical reliability. Trillo has maintained 779 days without incidents and has achieved 100% operability in the last reactor cycles.
Trillo, 3% of the national electricity without emissions
In fiscal 2024, the plant generated 7,676 GWh of electricity, equivalent to 3% of the country’s annual demand, avoiding the emission of more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide. These figures reinforce the role of nuclear energy as a stable technology with no direct emissions.
The plant is part of the park managed by CNAT and is maintained under international standards of excellence, such as those of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO). It is currently awaiting instructions to reconnect to the national power grid.
Warning on the viability due to the impact of the ENRESA tax
Trillo faces, however, a complex financial situation due to the increase in 2024 of the waste management fee by ENRESA. The 30% increase, unilaterally agreed by the Government, contravenes the closure protocol agreed in 2019, which limited the increase to 20%.
This tax burden already represents more than 45% of the plant’s annual operating costs. CNAT’s management has pointed out that, if this measure is not reversed, the operational continuity of an infrastructure that each year contributes close to 180 million euros in taxes is put at risk.
Despite this scenario, the facility continues to invest in improvements, with more than 40 million euros earmarked annually for technological upgrades. The goal: to extend its operation beyond 2035, when the current authorization expires.
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Source and photo: CNAT
