What is the origin of the nuclear energy program in Spain?
In the early 1960s, with the stabilization plan and Spain's entry into the OECD, the Spanish economy accelerated its expansion causing an increase in energy demand. From 1960 to 1975, this demand grew at an annual cumulative rate of 11%. In a situation of gas and oil scarcity, with growing dependence on the latter, and with domestically sourced coal that was difficult and costly to extract, business leaders and the government considered nuclear energy. Although still in the early stages of industrial development, this technology promised to be a perfect complement for supplying the base load curve.
The nuclear program in Spain, first stage
The development of the nuclear program in Spain started in the 1960s, with the construction and commissioning of the first nuclear power plant, José Cabrera—better known as Zorita—in the province of Guadalajara. José Cabrera, along with Vandellós I (Tarragona) and Santa María de Garoña (Burgos), were the first stage of nuclear power plants in our country, built by foreign contractors using the “turnkey” approach.
Second stage
In a second stage during the 1970s, the Almaraz (Cáceres), Ascó (Tarragona), and Cofrentes (Valencia) nuclear power plants were built, with a shift to contracting by components. This significantly boosted the importance of the engineering and equipment manufacturing industries. These plants were commissioned in the first half of the 1980s.
Third stage
During the third stage, in the 1980s, the Vandellós II (Tarragona) and Trillo (Guadalajara) nuclear power plants were built and commissioned. During this period the Spanish nuclear industry reached maturity with the construction of new factories, both for equipment and fuel, and the operation of a large number of specialized service companies, achieving nearly 90% domestic participation.
It should be noted that the Nuclear Energy Law was approved in 1964; that safety and regulatory activities were entrusted to the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), which was established by law in 1980; and that the management and storage of radioactive waste is the responsibility of the National Radioactive Waste Company (Enresa), created by Royal Decree in 1984.
Present times
Currently, Spain has nuclear facilities that cover the entire fuel cycle: in addition to the seven nuclear reactors in operation, there is a nuclear fuel factory in Juzbado (Salamanca) and a low, very low, and intermediate-level radioactive waste storage facility in El Cabril (Córdoba).
Along with these nuclear facilities, Spain has a skilled, expert and technologically advanced industry that not only supports the operation of the country's nuclear power plants but also exports products and services and is involved in the entire nuclear cycle in more than 40 countries.
Photo: Construction of the Vandellós II nuclear power plant, ANAV
