The seven Spanish nuclear reactors in operation once again guaranteed energy supply and independence, producing electricity consistently and reliably. Almost 20% of the electricity consumed in Spain was nuclear-powered, accounting for 26.01% of the electricity generated without greenhouse gas emissions. Considering that its net installed capacity is only 5.52% of the total, nuclear technology once again provided the most hours of equivalent power at full capacity.
The excellent nuclear results for the 2024 financial year were achieved, once again, thanks to the commitment, experience, and involvement of all the companies that make up the Spanish nuclear industry, as well as the training and dedication of their employees.
At the international level, the publication of the Draghi report is highly significant. It indicates that nuclear energy is an essential component for decarbonization, competitiveness, and guaranteed supply for the European Union’s energy system. To this end, it recommends extending the operation of current plants and accelerating the development of new units.
Furthermore, at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the 25 signatory countries of the COP28 declaration to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050 were joined by six other countries, and during Climate Week in New York, fourteen major global financial institutions showed their support for this declaration.
Also very important in many countries is the consideration of the long-term operation of nuclear reactors. Thus, by the end of 2024, there were 138 nuclear reactors worldwide licensed to operate for 60 years or more. In the United States, where most of its reactors have 60-year licenses, nine—some of them reference units of Spanish nuclear plants—are already licensed to operate for 80 years.
However, Spain stands alone and is the only country with operating plants that has planned to close them starting in 2027, so that there will be no nuclear production by 2035. It doesn’t seem logical to cling to a closure plan established in 2019 without looking at reality, since the current energy, environmental, and geostrategic situation is radically different from that at the time.
Moreover, to ensure their continuity, a review of the suffocating tax burden they bear is necessary, well above the European average, which makes them artificially unviable, despite the interest of their owners in continuing to operate them and the fact that they are in perfect technical and safety conditions.
Therefore, it is necessary to establish a dialogue with the Government to discuss the future of nuclear energy, which will also be the future of our country, the industry, and all citizens.
