Overview
- The ministry published an order in the Boletín Oficial del Estado on Friday, August 14 that allows Almaraz Units I and II to keep operating until June 8, 2030, and ties the authorization to the Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear's technical conditions.
- The government justified the move by citing recent international energy‑market volatility from the Middle East conflict and the war in Ukraine and said keeping Almaraz open will help reduce gas dependence and ease upward pressure on power bills.
- Sumar, the junior coalition partner, publicly rejected the extension and accused the PSOE of breaking their coalition pact, while Moncloa and many regional leaders defended the decision and said the 2035 national closure goal remains official.
- Local officials, plant operators and the pro‑Almaraz platform welcomed the order, saying it protects about 4,000 direct and indirect jobs and the local industrial base, and regional measures such as cuts to the ecotax have helped secure operator support.
- Analysts and stakeholders say the decision is likely to force consultations on the 2019 staggered nuclear shutdown calendar because further extensions beyond 2030 would require unanimity among the plant's owners and additional approvals.