Ignacio Araluce, president of Foro Nuclear, has expressed his concern about the plan to close nuclear power plants in Spain , arguing that this measure leaves the country in an isolated position with respect to other nations.
During the release of the 2023 sector results, Araluce emphasized the need to reconsider the current strategy, suggesting that nuclear power plants are essential to the national energy system and that Spain’s decision contrasts with the global trend of keeping these facilities operational.
In the report titled “ Nuclear results for 2023 and future prospects ” , it is detailed that the seven active nuclear reactors in Spain contributed 20.34% of the country’s total electricity production and represented more than 27% of the electricity generated. without polluting emissions . The Nuclear Forum has highlighted the efficiency of these plants, with an operational performance close to 90%, which positions them as fundamental technologies to achieve the objectives of the energy transition in the country.
Spain and the closure of nuclear power plants
Spain’s National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 establishes a progressive closure of nuclear power plants for the period 2027-2035 , an agreement reached between the government and the electrical companies that own it. This decision places it in contrast to other countries with nuclear infrastructure, which have chosen to extend the useful life of their reactors.
Currently, Spain has seven nuclear reactors in operation , located in five different locations.
It is important to note that nuclear energy has been during the last 12 years the only source that has consistently produced more than 20% of the electrical energy consumed in the country , using only 5.69% of the net installed capacity. In March 2023, the Almaraz-Trillo plants requested the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge to renew the authorization for the Trillo plant for an additional ten years, until November 2034.
Araluce also highlighted the tax burden considered discriminatory that weighs on nuclear power plants , indicating that excessive taxes and fees threaten the viability of the sector. Annually, the Spanish nuclear park contributes 450 million euros to the Enresa Fund for the management of radioactive waste and the dismantling of power plants and is reluctant to assume additional costs not directly related to its operation. In addition, it has requested a longer period to present allegations about the proposed increase in the “Enresa Rate” and has asked the Ministry for technical-economic information about the project.
Spain’s position regarding the closure of its nuclear power plants raises a significant debate about the balance between environmental sustainability and energy security. While nuclear energy continues to be recognized globally as a crucial tool for climate neutrality, the Spanish strategy underlines the importance of dialogue on best practices to manage the energy transition without compromising the stability of the national electricity system.
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Source: elperiodicodelaenergia.com
Photo: shutterstock
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