Nuclear Safety Council approves extension of Almaraz nuclear power plant until 2030

Key Points

The Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) approved extending the Almaraz nuclear plant's operation until 2030.
The plant provides about 7% of Spain's electricity and was originally scheduled to close in 2027 and 2028.
The approval is conditional on maintaining adequate staffing and clarifying the renewal timeline.
The final decision now rests with the Ministry for Ecological Transition, expected by late October.

Background History

Almaraz is Spain's oldest commercial nuclear power station, with Unit I beginning operations in 1983 and Unit II in 1984. It is owned by Iberdrola, Endesa, and Naturgy. A 2019 agreement between the government and plant owners established a phased shutdown schedule for all Spanish nuclear reactors between 2027 and 2035.

Spain's Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) has officially approved the technical extension of the Almaraz nuclear power plant, allowing its two reactors to continue operating until 2030. The decision follows a rigorous review of 29 documents covering 16 specialist areas, with the regulator concluding that the facility meets all necessary safety, maintenance, and waste management standards. Almaraz, located in the province of Cáceres, is Spain's oldest commercial nuclear station and currently provides approximately 7% of the nation's electricity, enough to power roughly 4 million homes.

The plant is owned by a consortium of Iberdrola, Endesa, and Naturgy. While the units were originally scheduled for decommissioning in 2027 and 2028 under a 2019 phase-out agreement, the operators requested an extension to 2030 to maintain stable energy output. The CSN's approval comes with two specific conditions: the plant must clarify the exact timeline for the renewal and ensure that staffing levels remain adequate to support operations through the new end date.

With the technical hurdle cleared, the final decision now rests with the Spanish government, specifically the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. The government is expected to review the recommendation and reach a conclusion before the end of October. While the regulator's report confirms the plant's operational safety, the government is not legally obligated to follow the recommendation, as it must balance the technical findings against broader national energy policy and the existing nuclear phase-out roadmap.

This development marks a significant moment in Spain's energy debate, as the country navigates the transition toward renewable sources while maintaining grid stability. The Almaraz plant has long served as a critical source of baseload power, which provides a constant supply of electricity regardless of weather conditions. As the government weighs its next steps, the outcome will likely influence the future of the remaining nuclear fleet in Spain, which is currently slated for a full shutdown by 2035.