Overview

• Iberdrola, Endesa, and Naturgy are collaborating on a unified request to extend the Almaraz nuclear plant’s operation by three years, potentially delaying its closure to 2030.
• The companies are seeking reductions in nuclear taxes and fees as a key condition for extending the plant’s lifespan, though the government has rejected such concessions.
• Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has stated the government is open to reviewing a coordinated industry proposal but maintains that decisions must align with safety and economic priorities.
• The current closure schedule, agreed upon in 2019, sets Almaraz’s reactors to shut down in 2027 and 2028, with decisions on any extensions required by June 2025 to avoid costly shutdowns.
• The April 28 nationwide blackout has reignited debates over energy security and nuclear energy’s role in Spain’s transition to a balanced energy mix.