Reported by the Consejeros Editorial Team
The Plenary Session of the Nuclear Safety Council has issued a favourable report, subject to conditions, regarding the renewal of the operating licence for the Almaraz nuclear power station (Cáceres), a measure that applies to its two units until June 2030. The decision taken by the Plenary is based on verification that the facilities are operating correctly and that an appropriate level of safety is maintained to ensure the continuity of their operation, thereby complying with the request for a life extension that the owner companies – Iberdrola, Endesa and Naturgy, members of CNAT – agreed to submit at the end of October last year.
For these three companies, the extension means adjusting their investment and maintenance plans. The extension entails additional costs relating to safety and operations, but it also allows them to continue generating revenue at a time of energy transition.
In accordance with the established procedure, MITECO will examine the report and all the documentation forming part of the file before reaching a decision. The Government will have a period of around two months to grant or refuse the extension of the plant’s operational life. The decision taken by the Government could fundamentally alter the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) and, ultimately, Spain’s energy strategy.
The Almaraz nuclear power station has the highest installed capacity in Spain; it generates approximately 7 per cent of the country’s electricity and supports around 3,000 direct and indirect jobs.
