MADRID \u2013 Spain is preparing to close its first nuclear power plant in 2027, reigniting a debate over the country\u2019s energy future mere months after an April blackout plunged much of Spain and Portugal into darkness and exposed vulnerabilities in the Iberian grid.<\/p>\n
Iberdrola, which holds a 52.7% stake in the Almaraz nuclear power plant in Extremadura \u2013 alongside Endesa (36%) and Naturgy (11%) \u2013 confirmed on Tuesday that it is preparing a formal request to the energy ministry to delay the shutdown, El Pa\u00eds reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n Under Spain\u2019s 2021 National Energy and Climate Plan, the country\u2019s five remaining nuclear stations are set to close<\/a> between 2027 and 2035. Almaraz I and II are due to cease operations in November 2027 and October 2028, respectively, followed by reactors in Catalonia (Asc\u00f3 I & II, Vandell\u00f3s II), Valencia (Cofrentes), and Guadalajara (Trillo).<\/p>\n Nuclear power currently provides around 20% of Spain\u2019s electricity, while 56.8% came from renewable sources in 2024, such as wind, solar, and hydro, according<\/a> to the national grid operator Red El\u00e9ctrica.<\/p>\n A politicised debate<\/p>\n Spain has long championed a renewable-driven transition, but the April blackout reignited criticism that the grid has become too dependent on weather-based generation. Energy Minister Sara Aagesen has rejected<\/a> such claims, saying there is \u201cno evidence\u201d that renewables were to blame. Months of investigations have so far failed to single out a clear reason<\/a>.<\/p>\n The phase-out of nuclear energy has been part of the Socialist Party\u2019s (PSOE) programme<\/a> since the early 2000s, but the plan didn\u2019t become policy until Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez\u2019s first term. Despite April\u2019s outage, the government has shown no sign of reversing course.<\/p>\n Junior coalition partner Sumar insists the closures must proceed. \u201cFor us, nuclear energy is expensive, polluting, and distances us from a fair and rapid eco-social transition,\u201d a party spokesperson said.<\/p>\n The opposition, however, would like to continue using nuclear power. Backed by the abstention<\/a> of S\u00e1nchez\u2019s Catalan ally Junts, the centre-right Popular Party (PP) and far-right Vox secured parliamentary approval to debate a possible delay.<\/p>\n A fragile grid?<\/p>\n An energy ministry spokesperson told Euractiv Madrid that any postponement would depend on three conditions: guaranteeing radiological safety, ensuring energy supply, and avoiding higher costs for consumers.<\/p>\n According to Gonzalo Garc\u00eda-Fern\u00e1ndez, a nuclear-energy specialist at Madrid\u2019s Polytechnic University, these conditions have already been met. \u201cThe problem,\u201d he said, \u201cis that Spain\u2019s nuclear debate is completely politicised.\u201d<\/p>\n Garc\u00eda-Fern\u00e1ndez describes nuclear energy as a stable, low-carbon power source that complements renewables by providing constant output.<\/p>\n \u201cIt does not depend on whether the sun shines or the wind blows, and it produces minimal, well-managed waste,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The ministry, however, insists that renewables will fully replace nuclear generation without raising costs. Its projections foresee clean energy accounting for 81%<\/a> of total electricity production by 2030.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, prioritising the switch-off of nuclear reactors could be counterproductive from a climate perspective. New wind turbines and solar panels would cover the gap left by zero-emission nuclear energy, rather than replacing power plants that run on polluting fossil fuels.<\/p>\n Diego Rodr\u00edguez, an energy economist at the economic think tank FEDEA, warned that Spain lacks sufficient battery-storage capacity and renewable infrastructure to meet its targets without risking price volatility or supply gaps.<\/p>\n \u201cThe government\u2019s timeline is optimistic,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n