This is how our December 2024 editorial ended: ‘Those of us who work in the Spanish nuclear industry — in power stations, companies, engineering, research and teaching — wish to express our desire for 2025: that it will be the year of nuclear energy in Spain. We want to leave behind the outdated dogma of wanting to close our power stations and embrace a modern, sensible and exciting future. This must begin with the continuity of Almaraz.’
As we approach the end of 2025, we would like, for the sake of the sector and the country, to stop talking about the closure of Spanish nuclear power plants.
Clearly, if we take a rigorous look at the situation, we can see that there has been a significant change in society’s perception of nuclear energy, which, of course, is not perfect. We are not nuclear professionals either, but at least the perception and knowledge of our work has expanded to such an extent on a global level that the perspective is completely different, even though some people’s old beliefs will never change. A few years ago, the ‘Nuclear Power? Yes, please’ attitude that we see in newspaper headlines today, embraced by representatives of institutions and professional groups, was practically a pipe dream.
‘Yes to nuclear energy’ because it provides a stable source of energy for our electricity system, contributes to security of supply and the fight against climate change, and creates wealth and jobs. It also promotes training, research and development, and many other solid, consistent arguments are gradually emerging, unhindered by misinformation. Nuclear energy is not perfect, but it is a valuable resource at our disposal. Let’s just keep it there.
The world is saying ‘yes’ to nuclear power with ongoing projects to build new power stations, which admittedly are long-term endeavors. There are also studies and plans to recommission decommissioned reactors and to develop new models, such as small modular reactors, which will diversify the options available to us today.
The residents of the regions where Spain’s nuclear power plants are located are calling for ‘Nuclear Power? Yes, please’. ‘ Yes to Almaraz, yes to the future’ is the slogan promoted by institutions willing to listen to the many people who believe the plant is necessary and beneficial. The residents of Almaraz, who live closest to the plant and defend it, see it as a resource for the future. This contrasts with the ideologues in their offices who view it as mere infrastructure of the past.
‘Nuclear Power? Yes, please’ is what we all want. We are all part of this industrial sector in one way or another. We know it well and we know first-hand what it is and what it entails. We are also very pleased to see that more and more people are approaching the word ‘nuclear’ without taboos or false myths.
‘Nuclear Power? Yes, please’ The sooner the better, since the future of an entire country is at stake.
