In 18 months, the Almaraz nuclear power plant must officially notify its intention to cease operations. A measure that has not gone down well in the Extremaduran municipality.
“Yes to Almaraz, yes to the future.” With this motto, the inhabitants of Almaraz have organized a demonstration for Saturday, January 18, defending the continuity of the nuclear power plant. The neighborhood platform of the same name as the motto has had the support of several mayors of nearby municipalities, such as Navalmoral de la Mata and Belvís de Monroy. The participation of entities and associations from the nuclear sector is also expected, such as the Spanish Nuclear Society (SNE), Jóvenes Nucleares and Women in Nuclear Spain. In addition, organizations such as the Cáceres Chamber of Commerce will join.
An unusual protest. At first we assume that nuclear power plants do not have the support of the neighbors, but this is not always the case, or at least they tell the residents of Almaraz. In this town in Extremadura, citizens have declared to different media that the closure would mean a loss of 3,000 jobs, possible emigration and an impact on the stability of the energy supply.
But, there are those who do not agree. Ecologists in Action have strongly criticized the participation of Extremaduran authorities in the pro-Almaraz demonstration, such as President María Guardiola. The organization has considered it unacceptable for public officials to support a nuclear power plant that, according to them, should close within the framework of a transition towards more sustainable energy sources. In addition, environmentalists have advocated the creation of employment alternatives for the region, instead of depending on an industry that promotes health and environmental risks.
What are the closure plans? The itinerary of the Government of Spain maintains intact the closure of the nuclear plants between 2027 and 2035. In particular, the closure of Almaraz is scheduled for two years from now and the official notification to the Ministry of Ecological Transition must be made within 18 months. In fact, they will not be able to request an operating license due to an agreement signed in 2019, so the plant will have to close.
What do they say from the Government? The Minister for the Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, has ratified the Government’s commitment to the nuclear plant closure schedule, agreed with the companies and Enresa, to manage waste. However, the sector’s employers warn that this measure could put the energy supply at risk, especially in regions such as Catalonia and Madrid, which depend on nuclear energy due to the lack of development of renewables. The sector also calls for a just transition and tax reduction to make the plants profitable.
The Nuclear Forum has warned of the growing tax pressure on nuclear facilities, which has increased by more than 70% in the last five years. This has led to an unsustainable economic situation for the plants. According to Araluce, an extension of the useful life would reduce taxes and guarantee the profitability necessary to avoid closure, in addition to saving an investment of 40,000 million euros in renewable generation to supply its capacity. Despite being willing to dialogue with the Government, there have still been no meetings with the new Minister for the Ecological Transition, which generates uncertainty in the sector.
Nuclear yes or no? The debate on the future of nuclear power in Spain not only faces national positions, but is also marked by international trends. While countries like France and the United States have opted to extend the useful life of their plants, the Government maintains its closure schedule. However, experts have warned that the nuclear blackout must be carefully managed to avoid energy and economic imbalances, especially in an era marked by the rise of data centers and Artificial Intelligence. The debate over the future of nuclear will continue to be a crucial issue in the coming years.
Image | Frobles
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