The owners of Almaraz nuclear power plant request an extension of its operation until 2030
In a special session held on October 30 2025, the Board of Administrators and the General Assembly of partners of Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo (CNAT), agreed to make an official request to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) to modify the operating license of the two units in Almaraz and extend their operation until June 2030.
CNAT reiterates its commitment to continue operating the Almaraz nuclear power plant safely, reliably and efficiently, maintaining the high standards that place it among the best facilities in the world, as confirmed by CNAT's press note. For this reason, the Board of Administrators and the Assembly of Partners have decided to formally submit to MITECO the request to extend the operation of its two reactors in Cáceres.
The press note adds that the Almaraz nuclear power plant is an essential infrastructure that supplies over 7% of the electricity consumed in Spain—equivalent to 4 million households—thanks to the work and commitment of around 4,000 people working in and for the plant in its area of influence (in addition to the 1,200 people joining the workforce for each refuelling outage).
According to the communication, the site is the main socio-economic engine of its region and one of the largest industries in Extremadura, generating highly qualified and long-term jobs as well as driving other industries.
A benchmark for excellence, according to WANO
Situada en el nivel 1 de excelencia de la industria nuclear según la Asociación Mundial de Operadores de Centrales Nucleares (WANO), Almaraz cumple con todos los requisitos de la Revisión Periódica de Seguridad aprobada por el Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear en el año 2020, y vigente hasta el año 2030. Además, añaden desde la instalación, "cuenta con un riguroso sistema de control basado en evaluaciones externas y auditorias. Con una inversión anual de 50 millones de euros para la mejora, actualización y modernización de sus equipos, Almaraz se encuentra en las mejores condiciones técnicas para seguir operando como ya lo hace la central de North Anna (Virginia, EE. UU.), gemela de Almaraz", que tiene permiso para operar 80 años.
Ranked at level 1 of excellence by the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), Almaraz meets all the requirements of the Periodic Safety Review approved by Spain's Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) in 20220, which remains valid until 2030. In addition, the plant notes that it operates under a rigorous control system based on external evaluations and audits.
With an annual investment of 50 million euros in improvements, modernization, and equipment upgrades, Almaraz is in excellent technical condition to continue operating, just as its twin plant, North Anna Nuclear Power Station in Virginia, USA, is licensed to do for 80 years.
