Overview
- Iberdrola, Endesa and Naturgy are finalizing a formal bid to delay Almaraz’s 2027–28 shutdown to at least 2030, with the ministry filing planned next week and safety paperwork due at the CSN by November 1.
- The Ministry for the Ecological Transition has restated that it will only consider any nuclear life‑extension that guarantees radiological safety, strengthens supply security, and does not raise bills or tap public funds.
- The owners have eased earlier demands for immediate national tax cuts, leaning on Extremadura’s promised ecotax reduction and pointing to Enresa fees that would decline if operations run longer, with other levies viewed as matters for later review.
- Plant workers have urged the companies to submit the request without delay as local pro‑plant groups welcome the move, while anti‑nuclear organizations challenge the extension on safety, cost and energy‑transition grounds.
- Supporters cite Almaraz’s contribution of roughly 7% of Spain’s electricity and its outsized local economic footprint, with consultants warning of significant job and income losses if closure proceeds on the current timetable.