Business · Energy & Commodities · 5 hrs ago
Nuclear industry group welcomes Almaraz plant extension
Spain has approved an extension for the Almaraz nuclear plant, and Foro Nuclear president Marta Ugalde called it good news.
Almaraz is in Extremadura, and Ugalde said keeping it open would benefit the region, Spain’s electricity system, industry and consumers.
She said nuclear power can provide steady electricity without direct carbon dioxide emissions and reduce reliance on gas.
Spain’s seven nuclear plants are still scheduled to close between 2030 and 2035 if there are no changes to the plan.
Ugalde argued that nuclear power, alongside renewable energy, can make the electricity system more stable and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The extension could keep Almaraz from closing in 2027 or 2028, which Ugalde said would otherwise have been irreversible.
The future of nuclear power may be debated again in 2029, against a backdrop of energy-price crises and efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Foro Nuclear president Marta Ugalde welcomed the extension of the Almaraz nuclear plant’s operating life.
She said the extension was good news for Extremadura, Spain, the electricity system, industry and consumers.
Ugalde said Almaraz supports grid stability, produces no CO2 emissions and can help reduce gas use and prices.
She said the plant’s renewal application was submitted on October 30, 2025, and the Nuclear Safety Council recommended approval in July.
Spain’s seven nuclear plants remain scheduled to close between 2030 and 2035 unless plans change.
- Who
- Marta Ugalde, president of Foro Nuclear, welcomed the extension.
- What
- The operating life of the Almaraz nuclear plant was extended.
- When
- The article was published on October 23, 2026. The renewal application was submitted on October 30, 2025.
- Where
- Almaraz, in Extremadura, Spain.
- Why
- Ugalde said the plant supports electricity-system stability, helps meet climate goals and can reduce reliance on gas.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Almaraz’s renewal application was submitted.
The Nuclear Safety Council issued a favorable assessment of the licence renewal to the ministry.
The ministry issued the ministerial order on the renewal.
El Mundo published its interview with Marta Ugalde about the extension and the future of Spain’s nuclear plants.
- Plant
- Almaraz
- Location
- Extremadura, Spain
- Renewal application
- Submitted October 30, 2025
- Nuclear Safety Council assessment
- Favorable, issued in July 2026
- Scheduled closures
- Spain’s seven nuclear plants are scheduled to close between 2030 and 2035
What people are saying
It is very positive: I think it is wonderful news for Extremadura, for Spain, for the Spanish electricity system as a whole, and for industry and consumers.
Spanish plants continue to suffer severe tax pressure that discriminates against them.