Spanish regulators and the EU clear the way for extending the Almaraz nuclear plant’s operation, bolstering domestic electricity supply
Executive summary: Spain’s nuclear regulator (CSN) and the European Commission have facilitated the Spanish government’s approval to extend the operation of the Almaraz nuclear power plant. Almaraz provides about 1,040 MW of baseload electricity; its continuation reduces Spain’s dependence on imported gas and strengthens energy security amid the Ukraine conflict and Ormuz supply concerns.
Who is involved: Spain’s Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), the European Commission (Brussels), and the Spanish Government (which will issue the formal extension).
Likely next: The Spanish government is expected to publish a royal decree extending Almaraz’s license by mid‑August 2026, after which the EU will review compliance with Euratom treaty rules, potentially concluding by September 2026.
The Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) has signaled favor toward prolonging Almaraz’s life, and the European Commission has indicated it will not block the move, according to an opinion piece in El País. This comes as the war in Ukraine and recent blockages in the Strait of Ormuz highlight Europe’s reliance on external energy sources. Extending Almaraz would help Spain maintain a baseload nuclear source that currently supplies roughly a tenth of national electricity demand.
Timeline
- — El CSN y Bruselas allanan al Gobierno la prórroga de Almaraz (El País — Economía)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Spanish Government to approve Almaraz extension decree by 15 August 2026.
- European Commission to issue opinion on the extension’s conformity with EURATOM Article 41 by 30 September 2026.
- Public consultation period on the extension to close 20 August 2026.
Sectors affected
- Nuclear electricity generation
- Iberian wholesale electricity market
- Natural gas import sector
Regulatory implications
- EURATOM Treaty Article 41 requires Commission opinion on nuclear plant lifetime extensions.
- Spanish nuclear safety law (Real Decreto 1836/1999) mandates a CSN safety report before any extension.
- EU State Aid rules may apply if the extension involves financial support, triggering a compatibility review.
Historical parallels
- 2009 Spain extended the operating license of the Garoña nuclear plant to 2019.
- 2015 post‑Fukushima EU stress tests led to temporary shutdowns of several European reactors.
- 2022 Belgium decided to extend Tihange‑1’s operation to 2025 despite safety concerns.
Key entities
Sources
- El CSN y Bruselas allanan al Gobierno la prórroga de Almaraz — El País — Economía