Spain's nuclear regulator backs Almaraz plant extension to 2030, putting pressure on government to decide by September

CSN gives technical green light

On Thursday, the plenary of Spain's Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) issued a favourable report on the renewal of the operating licence for the Almaraz nuclear plant in Cáceres province. The report, which includes conditions, concludes that both units can continue operating safely until June 2030. The CSN stated its decision "is based on verification of the plant's correct operation and the maintenance of an adequate safety level to continue its operation."

Government faces two-month deadline

The Ministry for Ecological Transition, led by Vice President Sara Aagesen, now has two months to issue a final resolution. Ministry sources told Europa Press that the deadline will not be affected by the summer break, meaning a decision is expected in September. The government had set three conditions for any extension: nuclear safety, no extra cost for consumers, and no risk to the electricity system's security. With the CSN report, the safety condition is considered met. The plant's owners, Iberdrola (52.7%), Naturgy (36%) and Endesa (11.3%), submitted the extension request in October 2025 and provided technical documentation by February 2026.

Political pressure mounts

The report triggered immediate reactions. The conservative People's Party (PP) called it "logical" and "good news." Alberto Nadal, PP's deputy secretary for economy, urged the government to repeal the ministerial order that prevents Almaraz from operating beyond November 2027. He noted that nuclear plants generate 20% of Spain's electricity, are CO2-free, and help avoid blackouts, referencing a supply interruption to large industries on Wednesday and uncertainty from the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

This decision by the Nuclear Safety Council, which is totally logical, is useless if the government does not repeal the ministerial order that prevents nuclear plants from continuing to operate, in the case of Almaraz, beyond November 2027.

The Madrid regional government demanded an immediate authorisation, accusing the central government of "energy sectarianism." It argued that with the CSN's technical backing and the companies' willingness, the two conditions set by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's executive have been met. The regional environment department warned that closure would raise electricity bills, increase energy dependence, weaken industry, and threaten thousands of jobs.

Within the ruling Socialist Party, pressure is also building. Álvaro Sánchez Cotrina, the new leader of the PSOE in Extremadura, called the report a "decisive" step and said the government would complete the extension "without noise, without fanfare and without political confrontation." Miguel Ángel Morales, the socialist president of the Cáceres provincial council, was more direct: "What we demand is that the government does not delay this decision any further."

Industry and local support

The Association of Municipalities in Areas of Nuclear Plants (AMAC) applauded the CSN's decision, saying it "guarantees the safe operation of Almaraz" and that there is still time to reverse the closure calendar. The platform 'Sí a Almaraz, Sí al futuro' said the report fills thousands of workers with hope. Foro Nuclear, the industry group, had previously warned that after October 2026, renewing contracts with collaborating companies would face "certain difficulties," according to its technical director Antonio González.

Environmental groups push back

Greenpeace Spain urged the government not to "give in to nuclear blackmail" and to maintain the planned closure. Francisco del Pozo, the group's nuclear campaign head, said extending Almaraz would be "a death blow to the development of new renewable projects" and could even lead companies to litigate against the government.

Changing energy policy by extending the life of a plant is a decision that will alter all energy planning and the Spanish energy model, which is so admired, and could even lead to companies litigating against the government.

Ecologistas en Acción stressed that the CSN report only assesses technical safety, and that the ministry should stick to the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan. The Foro Extremeño Antinuclear demanded the government keep the current closure dates, 1 November 2027 for Unit I and 31 October 2028 for Unit II, and urgently implement a just transition plan for the Campo Arañuelo region.

What happens next

The government has until mid-September to decide. If it does not authorise the extension, the owners must formally request the plant's closure. The 2018 nuclear phase-out calendar, which starts with Almaraz, now faces its most serious challenge yet.