The sixth Spanish nuclear power plant: Cofrentes
Two kilometers from the town of Cofrentes, in the province of Valencia, stands since 1984 the Cofrentes nuclear power plant, property by 100% of the electricity company Iberdrola Generación.
1984 was the key year: The Ministry granted Provisional Exploitation Permission, which led to the initiation of fuel load, the realization of nuclear tests and the site’s definitive connection to the high-voltage grid
Total yearly production provides practically all the domestic consumption to the families of the Community of Valencia (5 million people). Environmentally speaking, the benefits from its operation are equally significant, as it avoids the emission of approximately 6.5 million tons of CO2.
How the idea came about
In 1972, the Ministry of Industry and Energy granted Previous Permission for the construction of the Cofrentes nuclear power plant.
In 1973 the following were requested from General Electric Co: Reactor, turbogenerator (turbine and generator) and the first fuel load, as well as engineering work.
The following two years were dedicated to the basic engineering, the acquisition of the main equipment and to securing the Construction Authorization. In 1975, the Cofrentes town council granted the Construction License and Activity License, and the Ministry of Industry authorized construction. This marked the beginning of earthwork and site foundation.
By the end of 1976, the Ministry of Public Works granted authorization to use the water from the Júcar River for future exploitation.
In 1982, the Ministry of Industry and Energy extended the Construction Authorization and approved the Prenuclear Test Program, followed by the Tests. Simultaneously, assembly and civil works were finished.
1984 was the key year. The Ministry of Industry and Energy granted Provisional Exploitation Permission, which led to the initiation of fuel load, the realization of nuclear tests and the site’s definitive connection to the peninsular high-voltage grid.
It is the only one to use BWR technology in Spain, since the rest of the NPPs use the pressurized water system
Site characteristics
The Cofrentes nuclear power plant has a gross electric power of 1, 092.02 MW and is equipped with a BWR boiling water reactor, manufactured by General Electric. It’s a second generation plant which, along with Santa María de Garoña in Burgos (first generation), is the only one to use BWR technology in Spain, since the rest of the NPPs use the pressurized water system.
For further information:
- The first Spanish nuclear power plant: José Cabrera
- The second Spanish nuclear power plant: Santa María de Garoña
- The third Spanish nuclear power plant: Vandellós I
- The fourth Spanish nuclear power plant: Almaraz I and II
- The fifth Spanish nuclear power plant: Ascó I and II
- The seventh Spanish nuclear power plant: Trillo I
- The eighth Spanish nuclear power plant: Vandellós II
