If they are not able to change their position and make amends, the closure of the nuclear power plants will mean the withdrawal from the national electricity grid and, for no less than 4 million Spanish households, the possibility of having guaranteed clean, efficient and available energy 365 days a year. Looking at the figures for 2024, we can see that Spanish nuclear power plants have generated 52,055.3 GWh net, which represents 21.1% of the country’s total electricity demand, although with an installed net capacity of 7,117 MW, it is much lower than that of other technologies and represents only 5.4% of the total.
Nuclear energy was therefore once again the technology that operated at full power for the most hours, 83.3% of the total hours of the year, confirming its role as a source of stability and security of supply.
It is a clean energy that plays an essential role in the energy transition and in reducing CO2 emissions. Spain’s nuclear fleet will avoid the emission of more than 20 million tonnes of CO2 in 2024, contributing 25.3% of greenhouse gas-free electricity.
Don’t be fooled or deceived, the world is betting on nuclear energy. Governments of all political persuasions support the continued operation of nuclear power plants, including the construction of new units. Most countries with plants similar to Spain’s have decided to extend their lifetimes, considering this to be the optimal solution from the point of view of security of supply, economic competitiveness and meeting environmental challenges.
Spain has chosen not to do so, and the arguments in favour of maintaining this decision are empty and consist only of putting the ball in the court of other players. So NO. A few weeks ago, Sama Bilbao, Director General of the World Nuclear Association, expressed her concern about the decision to close nuclear power plants. Progress and socio-economic development require abundant, clean and cheap energy, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Spain needs its nuclear plants to operate beyond the deadlines set on paper and they are capable of doing so, it just needs the will and to listen to what more and more technical and professional sectors are demanding. A few weeks ago, companies that provide services to these plants signed a manifesto arguing that Spain’s nuclear plants are necessary because of the impact their closure would have on industrial competitiveness and the well-being of Spanish society. All reasonable arguments lead us to say YES.
From this group of companies, from the sector, from the technology industry, from Europe, we appeal and urge dialogue and renegotiation of the 2019 agreement on the gradual closure of nuclear power plants, because it was adopted in an industrial, geopolitical, social and economic context that was completely different from the current one.
We say it loud and clear: nuclear plants are so technologically advanced that they can continue to operate for another 60 or 80 years, in line with the international trend and the plants that were their design reference.
We have a nuclear fleet that is in good shape, with muscle and with trained and committed professionals who are beginning to look to other countries that are starting to develop their nuclear projects. We must not allow talent to leave, and those responsible for political decisions that jeopardise an entire sector that would permanently lose 20% of the electricity it generates within 11 years should not allow this to happen.
We would like to conclude this editorial with the recent words of Emilio Mínguez: “The world geo-energy scenario has changed and countries are incorporating nuclear energy into their energy matrix. Nuclear power generation is gaining momentum, while Spain insists on moving in the opposite direction, on a path that leaves us completely alone’. For this reason, he insisted: “We still have time to rectify the situation. Let’s do it!
