Iberdrola and other Spanish energy companies want to extend operation of all nuclear power plants

The Spanish energy sector is at a crossroads. Three key corporations – Iberdrola, Endesa and Naturgy – are preparing to submit formal applications to extend the operating period of the entire national fleet of nuclear power plants. This announcement represents a direct challenge to the previous policy of Pedro Sánchez's government, which envisaged a gradual phase-out of nuclear energy and closure of the last reactors by 2035. Iberdrola's CEO, Ignacio Galán, clearly outlined the industry's new position during a conference with analysts. „Nuclear power plants are necessary, are safe, are efficient and contribute to lower prices.” — CEO of Spanish energy company Iberdrola, who announced plans to extend the operation of nuclear power plants. Galán added that most existing reactors can safely operate for 60 years, and some even up to 80 years. As a negative example, he pointed to Italy, where – in his opinion – the lack of nuclear power translates into higher energy prices for end consumers.

Nuclear energy in Spain has a turbulent history. After a period of intensive development in the 1970s and 80s, the construction of new power plants practically came to a halt. The policy of successive governments gradually moved towards phasing out nuclear power, which was formalized in a plan to close all plants by 2035. This decision resulted from a mix of social, environmental and economic factors, including a strong anti-nuclear movement after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. The process has already begun. In October last year, the three owners of the Almaraz power plant in the province of Cáceres – Iberdrola, Endesa and Naturgy – submitted the first formal application to the government to extend the operation of its two reactors by approximately three years, until 2030. According to the previous schedule, this facility was to be the first to be shut down, already in 2027. This application is currently being analyzed by the Nuclear Safety Council. Its positive opinion is a necessary condition for any government decision. If the Almaraz application is accepted, it will set a precedent opening the way for similar efforts to extend the operation of the remaining five reactors in the country, located at the Ascó, Cofrentes and Vandellòs power plants.

The debate about the future of Spanish nuclear power has regained momentum after a serious power grid failure, which in April last year led to a widespread blackout. This incident prompted some politicians and experts to reconsider the role of stable, dispatchable energy sources in the energy mix. Energy corporations, including Iberdrola, argue that in the context of striving for climate neutrality and growing electricity demand, abandoning low-emission nuclear power plants is a strategic mistake. They also point to the high tax burden on this sector in Spain, suggesting that extending the operation of existing units is more cost-effective than their premature closure and the need to replace them with other sources.

The final decision rests with Pedro Sánchez's government, which must reconcile conflicting interests. On one side are pressures from the coalition partner, Sumar, and part of its electorate, traditionally skeptical of nuclear power. On the other – economic reasoning, supply security, and pressure from the major energy business sector, which fears system destabilization and price increases.

Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize the economic arguments of corporations and the need for energy security. Conservative media see this as an opportunity to revise the erroneous policy of the left-wing government. This process will be a test for Spain's energy transition and will show whether decarbonization plans can be reconciled with maintaining stable, dispatchable generation capacity.