February 13, 2025
The Spanish Congress urges the Government to extend the operational life of nuclear power plants
On February 12, the Plenary Session of the Spanish Congress approved a Non-Legislative Proposal presented by Partido Popular, the right-wing People's Party, regarding the planned shutdown of nuclear power generation in Spain. The proposal calls for extending the operational life of nuclear power plants and improving their safety. The initiative was passed in its original terms, with 171 votes in favor, 164 against, and 14 abstentions.
The proposal voted in Congress calls for extending the operational life of nuclear power plants in Spain and improving their safety
The text, structured into eight key points, urges the Government to:
- Extend the operational life of existing nuclear power plants in Spain, in accordance with European regulations, the guidance of the Nuclear Safety Council, and plant operators, while considering technical and economic criteria.
- Ensure the economic sustainability of nuclear facilities, recognizing the key role of this technology in the energy transition as it guarantees a secure and stable electricity supply and contributes to lower electricity market prices and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Engage in dialogue with municipalities, regional governments, and local authorities affected by the planned shutdown of Spain's seven nuclear units, as well as with economic sectors that would be impacted.
- Request reports from the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) and the electricity system operator (REE) to assess the economic impact of the scheduled nuclear shutdown, as well as its implications for energy security, considering the new forecasts included in the revised Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC).
- Implement measures to ensure that the Spanish nuclear industry can contribute to challenges and seize opportunities presented by the EU Net-Zero Industry Act, which includes nuclear energy technologies.
- Introduce legislative initiatives to repeal Article 10 of Law 7/2021 on Climate Change and Energy Transition (this article bans new permits for exploring, mining or processing radioactive minerals like uranium in Spain. It also prohibits new authorizations for nuclear fuel cycle facilities to manage these materials).
- Review the 7th General Radioactive Waste Plan, the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan 2023-2030, and the approved nuclear plant shutdown protocol, ensuring consultation and participation from nuclear operators, in line with the previously proposed measures.
- Present these considerations to the Specialized Committee for National Energy Security and request that the committee revise Spain’s Energy Security Strategy following the outlined points.
The eight-point text urges the Government to implement a series of measures that would reverse the country's decision to phase out nuclear power
Source: Spanish Congress
