Nuclear generation was, once again, a fundamental pillar of the electrical system in 2024
Spain's seven operational nuclear reactors —Ascó I & II, Almaraz I & II, Cofrentes, Trillo and Vandellós II— generated 19,57% of the electricity in 2024, which made them the second most relevant source of production in the country. Their outstanding performance in operating hours, exceeding 83% of the hours in the year, ensures an essential, stable and reliable baseload electricity supply. This contributes to the stability and robustness of the electrical system. Additionally, they do not emit CO2, which makes them fundamental to reducing emissions.
Spanish nuclear power plants generated 52,055.26 GWh net over the past year, representing 19.57% of the country's net electricity production. Despite having a net installed capacity of 7,117 MW, which is significantly lower than that of other technologies and accounts for just 5.44% of the total capacity, nuclear energy managed to become the second-largest source of electricity production in Spain, according to provisional data from Red Eléctrica analyzed by Foro Nuclear.
Once again, nuclear energy was the technology with the highest equivalent full-power operating hours, specifically 83.27% of the total hours. In 2024, nuclear plants generated electricity for 7,314 hours out of the year’s 8,784 hours. “This constant production reflects the guarantee of supply offered by nuclear energy day after day and year after year,” stated Ignacio Araluce, president of Foro Nuclear. “The electrical system needs stable baseload sources with consistent production, like nuclear, which provides stability, robustness, and firm capacity to the grid, regardless of external conditions,” he added.
Nuclear energy, a CO2-free source
In addition, nuclear power accounted for 25.28% of Spain’s CO2-free electricity generation in 2024, making it a strategic component in the decarbonization process. "Therefore, it is difficult to understand why Spain would choose to phase out one of the electricity production sources that avoids the most emissions," said the president of Foro Nuclear.
“The world is clear on this, and governments of different political orientations are embracing nuclear energy by extending the life of their reactors and building new units. Most countries with nuclear plants similar to those in Spain have decided to operate them long-term, as this is the optimal solution both in terms of supply security and economic competitiveness, as well as environmental challenges. Yet in Spain, where nuclear energy’s contribution is highly significant, a decision has been made to completely abandon it,” Araluce noted.
Ignacio Araluce: "The continued operation of Spanish nuclear power plants will have to be inextircably linked to a reduction in the disproportionate tax burden they bear"
"Several technical and economic analyses show that Spain needs its nuclear power plants to operate beyond the established deadlines. The nuclear sector and its professionals are prepared to operate these plants in the long term, as they are highly valuable assets not only for the electrical system and reduction of emissions but also for local communities by generating wealth and providing stable, high-quality jobs," stated Ignacio Araluce, president of Foro Nuclear. In any case, the continued operation of Spanish nuclear power plants will have to be inextricably linked to a reduction in the disproportionate tax burden they bear, which has increased by more than 70% over the past five years and has reached economically unsustainable levels."
