Spanish nuclear professionals and the entire industry associated with our sector will meet in Cáceres during the last week of September. This will be the 51^(st) Annual Meeting of the Spanish Nuclear Society, a professional conference that allows us to demonstrate the strength of the Spanish nuclear industry, both within and beyond our borders. The industry provides electricity as a strategic asset, as well as equipment and materials, highly qualified professionals, and knowledge and research.
For us, Cáceres is more than just another Spanish city this year. While we are in Extremadura, we want to amplify the voices of those who have been calling for months for the two units at the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant to continue operating.
The Spanish Nuclear Society has publicly stated its support for this continuity and has requested, and will continue to request, a review of the closure schedule for our seven nuclear reactors. But now, more than ever, we want to stand alongside the institutions, professional groups, and individuals who are calling for Almaraz’s future and who are taking their resounding ‘Almaraz, yes!’ message to national and international forums, of which there are many and which are very different.
The people of Extremadura are calling for the closure schedule to be reversed, so that Almaraz I can continue operating beyond 2027 and Almaraz II beyond 2028. Who better than the local people to tell us about the history, coexistence and roots of this facility in its location?
Due to their size, generation capacity and production, nuclear power plants are large facilities that are often located far from large cities and urban centers. They provide stable jobs for a significant number of qualified professionals. For all these reasons, in addition to the loss of stable and robust energy generation for all citizens of the country, the closure of these plants will undoubtedly affect the areas in which they are located. While there is much talk of transition plans and preparations for these closures, Spain already has real precedents in the form of the José Cabrera plant in Guadalajara and the Santa María de Garoña plant in Burgos. Visiting the areas surrounding these power plants, either those that have been shut down and dismantled, such as José Cabrera, or those in the process of being dismantled, such as Santa María de Garoña, provides a clear indication of the impact that closure has on these towns and their residents.
For a week, nuclear professionals will gather in Cáceres to discuss important issues in our field, share experiences and knowledge, and showcase nuclear science and technology to the local community. This is undoubtedly a special year for us. Our presence in Cáceres is our way of reiterating our belief in the future of Almaraz and our commitment to its success. We say yes to the future of nuclear energy in Spain, yes to Almaraz NPP, yes to Ascó NPP, yes to Cofrentes NPP, yes to Vandellós II NPP, and yes to Trillo NPP.
