The future of nuclear power plants in Spain: How many are there and what does the future hold for them?

  • Spain has five active nuclear power plants, housing a total of seven reactors.
  • The plants are scheduled to be decommissioned between 2027 and 2035.
  • ENRESA manages radioactive waste, with plans to build a Centralized Temporary Storage Facility.

nuclear power plants

Nuclear energy has been an important issue in Spain since the construction of its first power plants. Although public opinion has become more skeptical after the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents, it remains a key source of energy, accounting for more than 20% of the total electricity generated in the country. However, one of the most significant concerns is the management of radioactive waste, which also generates a lot of uncertainty. In this article we will delve into how many nuclear power plants are there in Spain, their distribution and the expected future for these plants.

How many nuclear power plants are there in Spain?

nuclear center

Currently, there are five active nuclear power plants spread across Spain. These five plants house a total of seven nuclear reactors. The Almaraz and Ascó plants have two reactors each, while the Cofrentes, Vandellòs II and Trillo plants have only one reactor each. These facilities generate approximately 100% of the energy produced by the plant. 20% of the electrical energy consumed in the country.

The active nuclear power plants in Spain are the following:

  • Almaraz nuclear power plant: Located in Cáceres and founded in 1983, it has two nuclear reactors.
  • Ascó nuclear power plant: Located in Tarragona and operational since 1984, it also has two reactors in operation.
  • Cofrentes nuclear power plant: This plant, located in the province of Valencia, was inaugurated in 1985 and has a boiling water reactor.
  • Vandellòs II nuclear power plant: This facility, also located in Tarragona and operational since 1988, has a single reactor.
  • Trillo nuclear power plant: The most recent plant, opened in 1988 in Guadalajara, has a nuclear reactor.

Together, these plants provide an installed capacity of 7.398,77 megawatts (MW) of electrical power, making them essential for the energy security of the peninsula.

Spain and nuclear energy: Which plants are no longer in operation?

How many nuclear power plants are there in Spain?

Despite the five active plants, Spain has other nuclear facilities that have ceased operations. This is the case of the nuclear power plant in Santa María de Garona in Burgos, closed since 2017 and in the process of dismantling, as well as the plants of Jose Cabrera (Guadalajara) —known as Zorita— and Vandellos I (Tarragona), which are also being dismantled. Although they no longer generate electricity, these facilities remain under control due to the waste and radioactive materials that must be managed safely.

Future decommissioning of nuclear power plants

Spanish nuclear power plants

The decommissioning of active nuclear plants in Spain does not seem to be a question of if, but when. The Spanish government has set a timetable for the cessation of all active nuclear power plants between 2027 and 2035. The first plant to close would be Almaraz I (in 2027) and the last would be Trillo (in 2035). This end of cycle is mainly due to two factors: the high cost of extending the useful life of the plants and concerns about safety and waste management.

Decommissioning a nuclear power plant is a complex and expensive process, which can take decades. Disused plants, such as José Cabrera and Vandellòs I, have not yet been fully decommissioned and are undergoing a waiting period to ensure that radiological zones become less hazardous before proceeding with the work.

Radioactive waste management: A pending challenge

nuclear waste spain

Radioactive waste management is, without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges facing Spain today in terms of nuclear energy. To date, a total of approximately 100,000 nuclear waste has been accumulated. 80.400 cubic meters of radioactive waste, which includes medium- and high-level waste. Some of this waste is highly dangerous because it can generate heat and remain active for thousands of years.

La National Radioactive Waste Company (ENRESA) is responsible for managing this waste, as well as carrying out dismantling such as that which is underway at the Garoña power plant. The waste is temporarily stored in the El Cabril storage center in Córdoba, although this centre has a limited capacity. For this reason, the construction of a new centre is being considered. Centralized Temporary Storage (ATC).

The future of nuclear energy in Spain

Spain's nuclear future

Despite the decommissioning plans, the prospects for nuclear energy in Spain are not completely closed. Research is being carried out into the development of a Deep Geological Storage, an underground facility more than 1.000 metres deep that could safely house nuclear waste for a prolonged period.

The Nuclear Safety Council has already carried out territorial studies to identify possible locations for the storage facility, although the exact locations have not been revealed. This solution is expected to be available between 2050 and 2070, which will allow for safer and more efficient management of the radioactive waste generated.

However, Spain's nuclear power plants still have a long life ahead of them, and although their closure seems inevitable, the debate on nuclear energy and waste management remains open, affected by technological developments and the country's future energy policies.

Nuclear energy in Spain continues to play a crucial role in electricity generation, but the country is preparing for a future without it, where its greatest challenge will be the correct management of radioactive waste and the planned closure of plants.


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