Spain has extended the operating life of the Almaraz nuclear power plant until June 8, 2030, delaying the planned shutdown of its two reactors by up to two and a half years.
The two reactor units, located in the western region of Extremadura, were originally due to close at the end of 2027 and 2028 respectively. The extension follows an application by operators Iberdrola, Endesa and Naturgy in 2025 and a favourable assessment by Spain’s nuclear regulator, the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN).
However, the decision does not alter Spain’s wider plan to phase out nuclear power by 2035. Under that timetable, the country’s five nuclear plants, comprising seven reactors, are to be gradually decommissioned.
The government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the extension was necessary amid uncertainty in international energy markets and to help ensure security of electricity supply. At the same time, it said the measure should not result in additional costs for consumers or significantly slow the expansion of renewable energy.
Almaraz, which supplies just over seven per cent of Spain’s electricity, is the first plant scheduled to close under the planned nuclear phase-out. With about 4,000 employees, it is also a major employer in Extremadura, one of Spain’s economically disadvantaged regions.
