Spain is committed to phasing out nuclear power by 2035, despite pressure from various stakeholders to reconsider. The government emphasizes a transition to renewable energy, with plans to close all nuclear facilities, which currently supply 20% of electricity. Concerns about energy reliability and rising electricity demand have prompted calls from industry leaders to extend nuclear plant operations. Political opposition is growing as Spain faces challenges in replacing nuclear energy, with warnings of potential price increases for consumers.
In contrast to some EU nations that are embracing nuclear energy, Spain is steadfastly committed to phasing out nuclear power by 2035. As the deadline approaches, the government faces increasing pressure from various stakeholders advocating for a reassessment of this strategy.
“Our focus is on renewable energy,” succinctly captures Spain’s energy policy, as articulated by Ecology Minister Sara Aagesen. Over the past few years, Spain has emerged as a leader in the energy transition within Europe, with the left-wing government planning to shut down all nuclear facilities within the next decade.
This shift represents a “major transformation” for the nation, necessitating the substitution of “constant and predictable energy” with “more unpredictable” sources such as solar and wind, explains Enric Bartlett, an energy expert from Esade Law School, in an interview with AFP.
During the peak of nuclear energy’s popularity in the 1980s, Spain operated eight nuclear plants that supplied 38% of its electricity. Currently, the country has five plants with seven reactors, contributing only 20% to the electricity mix.
This percentage is anticipated to drop further by 2027-2028 with the planned closure of two reactors at the Almaraz facility located in Extremadura. This power plant is the largest in Spain, accounting for 7% of the country’s electricity and 15% of Madrid’s supply.
The closure, which was confirmed in the National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) back in 2019, has received backing from the companies involved. However, as the shutdown timeline approaches, growing concerns are emerging within the industry.
Concerns About Energy Reliability
For nuclear energy advocates, the current situation is indeed alarming. “The agreement was made under significantly different industrial, geopolitical, social, and economic circumstances,” states the Nuclear Forum, a lobby group representing the sector.
With the rising demand for electricity driven by the electrification of vehicles and the burgeoning needs of data centers fueled by artificial intelligence, electricity consumption in Spain is expected to escalate in the coming years.
In this light, the Forum asserts that it is crucial not to “close the plants” without establishing “a viable alternative that includes all non-CO2 emitting energy sources.” They caution about the potential ramifications for Spain’s “productive fabric.”
This sentiment was recently echoed by Ignacio Sánchez Galán, the president of Iberdrola, a major energy company that operates both renewable energy facilities and nuclear plants. He emphasized that nuclear energy “is absolutely essential” to maintain a stable electricity supply.
Alongside approximately thirty other companies, Iberdrola issued a manifesto advocating for an extension of the operational life of nuclear plants. The document warns that the “premature dismantling of these infrastructures would inflict an irreparable economic and social setback” on Spain.
Political Challenges and Energy Sovereignty
The socialist government led by Pedro Sánchez is also encountering political pressure from the Popular Party (right), the primary opposition party, which recently passed a parliamentary resolution urging the government to follow the lead of other European countries.
Earlier this year, Belgium announced its intention to extend the lifespan of its nuclear reactors, while Sweden and the Netherlands have initiated new power plant projects. Moreover, Italy has reopened discussions regarding a potential return to nuclear energy, 25 years after decommissioning its last reactors.
“Protecting jobs and ensuring the country’s energy sovereignty is essential,” emphasized Isabel Diaz Ayuso, the conservative president of the Madrid region, during a visit to the Almaraz facility, where employee unions are actively advocating for the industry.
According to Ayuso, Spain is “not prepared to replace nuclear power,” warning of potential increases in electricity prices that could reach 23% for households and 35% for businesses, based on a study by PwC.
In response to this mounting criticism, Minister Sara Aagesen has opted for a cautious approach, reiterating that the companies themselves established the closure timeline and highlighting the resilience of Spain’s electricity system.
If by 2035 “we possess the necessary installed capacity and appropriate transport and storage networks, the closure plan can be executed without disruptions,” agrees Enric Bartlett. However, he warns that achieving this will require a “significant increase in investments.”