This raises a question that still awaits an objective, strategic, and coherent answer that reflects the reality and challenges of our socioeconomic system:
SHOULD SPAIN CLOSE ITS NUCLEAR FLEET?
The Draghi Report is based on the fact that the European Union (EU) is immersed in a dangerous process of stagnation compared to other economies, primarily the US and China, for various reasons, including a lack of sufficient investment in technology and R&D, as well as the disadvantages arising from the scarcity of domestic energy resources. While in the US productivity and GDP grew by 23% and 34% respectively between 2008 and 2024, in Europe they grew by 12% and 23%. In Spain, the situation is more severe: over the same period, both productivity and GDP grew 5 percentage points less than the EU average.
One of the issues Draghi proposes to solve the problem is the transition from the current European Energy System, largely based on imported fossil fuels, to a decarbonized one capable of achieving the Paris Agreement neutrality goals by 2050. Draghi’s strategy: a massive deployment of renewable energy, as well as extending the life of nuclear power plants currently in operation and supporting the development of a new generation of these types of plants.
The National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC – 2024) proposes the closure of Spain’s nuclear fleet between 2027 and 2035, which provides 20% of electricity demand (56,000 GWh), and its replacement with renewable energy sources: primarily wind and photovoltaic. Is it possible? Is it a good decision? The answer to the first question is yes, but conditioned; while the second deserves a resounding no.
The following article develops all the necessary considerations for addressing a response to the problem from an objective and technical perspective, leading to some conclusions that are essential in the current situation, in a global context of growing challenges.
ACCESS THE FULL REPORT AND THE DRAGHI REPORT HERE
