Spain Extends Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant Operations Until June 8, 2030

The Almaraz nuclear power plant, Spain’s largest, will continue operating until June 8, 2030, following a decision by the Spanish government.

The extension was made official through its publication in the state’s Official Gazette, following several months of discussions about the future of nuclear energy production in the country.

Almaraz is located in the Extremadura region and accounted for around 7% of the electricity generated in Spain last year. In mid-July, the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) issued a positive assessment regarding the continuation of the plant’s operations.

Its two reactors, which began operating in the early 1980s, had been scheduled to close in 2027 and 2028, respectively. The issue of their continued operation has triggered fierce clashes between Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government and the companies that own the plant: Iberdrola, Endesa and Naturgy.

Under agreements reached in 2019, Almaraz was scheduled to close in 2028. However, following the widespread power outage in 2025, professionals and nuclear industry representatives called for the deadline to be extended, raising concerns about risks to the energy supply.

The major and unprecedented power outage that affected the Iberian Peninsula in April 2025 significantly altered Spain’s energy landscape. The debate over security of supply was also revived because of the impact that the war in the Middle East had on international energy markets.

The Spanish government has long stated that it intends to phase out nuclear energy by 2030. Before agreeing to a possible extension, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had set several conditions, including fully guaranteeing reactor safety and avoiding any additional costs for taxpayers.

Spain is relying increasingly on renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power. Opponents of closing nuclear power plants warn, however, that phasing them out too quickly could jeopardize the electricity supply.

Nuclear energy has historically played an important role in Spain. At the height of the sector’s development in the 1980s, the country had eight power plants, which generated around 38% of its electricity.

Spain currently has five operational nuclear power plants with a total of seven reactors. During 2025, they accounted for around 19% of the country’s electricity mix.

Meanwhile, the share of renewable sources has continued to grow. Last year, they accounted for almost 60% of Spain’s electricity generation.

Pedro Sánchez’s government aims to increase renewable energy’s contribution to 81% by 2030, as Spain faces the challenge of ensuring energy security during the transition to a system based primarily on these sources.