Spain is one of the fourteen member states of the European Union that operates nuclear power plants, a technology that has been part of the Spanish energy landscape since the mid-twentieth century.
Nuclear energy in Spain accounts for more than 20% of electricity generation, although its weight in the energy mix has fluctuated over time, especially as renewable energies, such as wind and solar, have gained ground.
Historical context of nuclear energy in Spain
The development of nuclear energy in Spain began in 1964, with the construction of the first nuclear power plants. The José Cabrera Nuclear Power Plant, the Santa María de Garoña Nuclear Power Plant and the Vandellós I Nuclear Power Plant were the first projects in the country, marking the beginning of an era of nuclear expansion that continued over the following decades.
During the 1970s, Spain saw a strong push for nuclear power plant construction, with the aim of diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on oil. However, the 1973 oil crisis and fear of the risks of nuclear energy led to a nuclear moratorium in 1984, under the socialist government, which affected several ongoing projects, including three third-generation nuclear power plant projects.
Despite the moratorium, two third-generation nuclear plants, the Trillo Nuclear Power Plant and the Vandellós II Nuclear Power Plant, came into operation in the 1980s and 1990s before the moratorium was officially ratified in 1994. In 2011, the Spanish government removed legal restrictions on the lifespan of nuclear power plants, allowing some of them to operate beyond the initially planned 40 years.
Active nuclear power plants in Spain
Spain currently has seven nuclear reactors in operation, with a total capacity of 7,121 MWe. These plants are distributed among different generations:
- First Generation Power Plants : These were the first to be built and have been in operation since the 1960s and 1970s. They include the José Cabrera power plant (dismantled in 2020), Santa María de Garoña (closed in 2013) and Vandellós I (closed in 1989).
- Second Generation Power Plants : Built mainly during the 1970s and 1980s, these include the Ascó I nuclear power plant, the Almaraz nuclear power plant, and others that were not completed due to the moratorium.
- Third Generation Power Plants : Started in the 1980s, projects such as Trillo and Vandellós II were completed. They are the most modern of the Spanish nuclear power plants.
Almaraz nuclear power plant (Cáceres)
The Almaraz nuclear power plant, located in the province of Cáceres, has two pressurised water reactors (PWR) that generate around 1,000 MW each. It began operating in 1983 and is one of the largest producers of electricity in Spain. The plant uses uranium as fuel and its waste is managed in El Cabril. Almaraz has undergone significant investments to modernise its safety systems and improve its efficiency. Its gradual closure is expected between 2025 and 2030, according to the government's plan.
Ascó nuclear power plant (Tarragona)
Located in Tarragona, the Ascó nuclear power plant has two pressurized water reactors, Ascó I and Ascó II. The first began operating in 1984 and the second in 1986. It is one of the most important nuclear plants in terms of electricity production capacity. In addition, Ascó has stood out for its maintenance of high safety standards. The plant has undergone several technological upgrades to ensure its future operation and safety, although its gradual deactivation is also planned in the coming years.
Cofrentes nuclear power plant (Valencia)
Located in the province of Valencia, the Cofrentes nuclear power plant has a boiling water reactor (BWR) with a capacity of 1,070 MW.
It began operating in 1984 and is one of the most efficient nuclear plants in the country. Cofrentes has been in a constant process of modernization, with significant investments in its infrastructure and security.
The plant is scheduled to be decommissioned between 2025 and 2030, in line with government policies to phase out nuclear power plants.
Trillo nuclear power plant (Guadalajara)
The Trillo nuclear power plant in Guadalajara began operating in 1988. It has a pressurized water reactor (PWR) with a capacity of 1,066 MW.
Trillo is one of the most modern third-generation power plants in Spain. Throughout its lifespan, it has undergone improvements in safety and efficiency. Its energy production supplies a significant part of the Spanish electricity system.
The plant is included in the government's plans for a gradual closure, although no definitive deadlines have yet been set for its closure.
Vandellós II nuclear power plant (Tarragona)
The Vandellós II nuclear power plant, also located in Tarragona, has a pressurized water reactor with a capacity of 1,000 MW. It began operations in 1988, although the original project for the Vandellós plant was more ambitious.
After the decommissioning of the first Vandellós plant (Vandellós I), Vandellós II remained one of the most important nuclear plants in the country. It has undergone several modernisations to its infrastructure and remains one of the key sources of electricity generation, although its future is also marked by the gradual closure plan.
Inactive or decommissioned nuclear plants
Jose Cabrera Nuclear Power Plant (Guadalajara)
The José Cabrera nuclear power plant, located in Guadalajara, was the first nuclear plant in Spain, beginning operations in 1968. Its reactor was pressurized water and its electricity generation capacity was approximately 150 MW.
After several decades of operation, it was decided to close it permanently in 2006, making it an example of a plant that was dismantled.
Despite its closure, José Cabrera remains relevant in terms of radioactive waste management and as a model for the transition from an operational plant to a closed one.
Santa Maria de Garona nuclear power plant (Burgos)
The Santa María de Garoña nuclear power plant in Burgos began operations in 1971. It had a boiling water reactor (BWR) and a capacity of 466 MW.
Throughout its lifespan, the plant underwent several modernisation processes. However, in 2013 it was finally closed due to an evaluation process and the impossibility of renewing the operating licence.
Although it is not operational, it remains a point of reference in the debate on the future of nuclear energy in Spain.
Vandellós I nuclear power plant (Tarragona)
The Vandellós I Nuclear Power Plant, also located in Tarragona, began operating in 1972 with a gas reactor (GCR). It had a capacity of 500 MW, but in 1989, after a fire that affected the plant, it was temporarily closed.
In 1990, the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) recommended its definitive closure due to safety problems and the age of the plant. A dismantling process was subsequently carried out, culminating in the elimination of the infrastructure and the management of its radioactive waste.
Waste management and international protocol
Spain manages radioactive waste at the El Cabril Centralised Storage Facility in Córdoba, where low- and medium-activity waste is stored. In addition, Spain follows the commitments of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a state without nuclear weapons and maintains agreements with international organisations such as the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and Euratom.
The future of nuclear power plants in Spain
In 2020, the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge presented the Comprehensive National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030, which sets the goal of the progressive closure of the nuclear power plants still operating in the country. This plan is in line with Spain's commitments to the fight against climate change and the transition towards cleaner energies. The Almaraz, Ascó I and Cofrentes plants are expected to be closed between 2025 and 2030, although the deadlines may be adjusted depending on the circumstances.
At European level, Spain is part of a group of five countries that have requested that nuclear energy be excluded from financial aid for renewable energy, arguing that nuclear energy should not benefit from incentives aimed at combating climate change. This position reflects the ambivalence of nuclear energy in the context of the energy transition, where its role in reducing emissions and in energy security is being debated in the face of the rise of renewable energies.