The Royal Spanish Academy defines ‘responsibility’ as ‘the quality of being responsible’. As nuclear professionals, we are required to demonstrate this attribute, and we do so accordingly. Also as citizens, we should be able to demand that our interests are considered in decisions that affect us all.
Being responsible means speaking accurately, rigorously and verifiably, and applying the same criteria to decision-making. Our position is clear: we defend, and will continue to defend, the necessary continuity of all Spanish nuclear power plants: Almaraz I, Almaraz II, Ascó I, Ascó II, Cofrentes, Vandellós II and Trillo. These plants should be permitted to operate beyond their agreed decommissioning dates, beginning with Almaraz I in 2027.
The agreed closure schedule should be reviewed. Political will must lay the foundations for these power plants to continue operating and contributing to electricity supply security in our country, and this must be done responsibly and accountably.
The question of whether nuclear power plants in Spain are fit to operate is not in doubt. Internal and external oversight is continuous and thorough in all areas, including day-to-day operations and operating licences. All of this guarantees their safe operation. A plant that was not in perfect condition would not be permitted to operate in the future, nor would it be permitted to operate today. Spanish nuclear power plants have the technical and human capabilities to operate beyond the closure dates established in 2019.
We are committed to safety, reliability, transparency and trust. This is how things have always been, and how they must continue. However, despite the commitment of nuclear professionals, we will not be able to achieve that desired future without political responsibility.
Almaraz I and II, Ascó I and II, Cofrentes, Vandellós II and Trillo nuclear power plants have the adequate conditions to continue operating. The ongoing audits we undergo confirm this issue, but without responsible decision-making by the relevant authorities, this will not be possible.
We hope that this ‘responsibility’ will be the guiding principle behind the decisions that need to be made regarding the future of the Spanish nuclear sector. Currently, advocating the closure of nuclear power plants would mean foregoing a valuable resource and perfectly operational facilities. For these reasons, we are calling for responsible decision-making.
