Spain abandons nuclear repository, approves phased shutdown of reactors

Madrid, Spain: In a significant policy shift, Spain has officially abandoned plans for a centralized nuclear waste repository, casting a shadow over the future of its nuclear energy program.

The move, approved by the Council of Ministers, not only raises costs for the impending nuclear phaseout but also diminishes the likelihood of extending the operational life of existing reactors.

The Seventh General Plan for Radioactive Waste (PGRR) outlines the closure schedule for the country’s remaining seven reactors, with the last one set to go offline by 2035.

The long-anticipated document, proposed by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, formalizes the closure timeline for Spain’s nuclear power fleet.

The plan dictates the shutdown of the five remaining plants with seven reactors between 2027 and 2035, commencing with the Almaraz 1 unit in November 2027.

The decision to scrap the centralized temporary storage project in Villar de Cañas, despite already incurring a cost of EUR 90 million, signals a strategic pivot in Spain’s approach to nuclear waste management.

Instead, the government plans to establish seven storage facilities at each plant, including two that are currently undergoing dismantling. A deep geological repository for all nuclear waste is envisioned to be established within 50 years.

The financial implications of this change are substantial, with the Ministry estimating a total cost of EUR 20.2 billion for closure and nuclear waste management until the end of the century.

The decision to abandon the centralized repository raises questions about the economic viability of extending the operational life of reactors as the waste management system becomes more complex and costly.

Under the new plan, the El Cabril storage system in the province of Córdoba will continue to receive low to intermediate level waste until all plants are dismantled, necessitating an expansion of the facility.

Spain, which reached a provisional agreement on the nuclear phaseout in 2019 with operators Iberdrola, Endesa, and Naturgy, currently relies on nuclear energy for one-fifth of its electricity needs.

The phased shutdown of reactors will have implications for the country’s energy landscape and its commitment to decarbonization.

Interestingly, while Spain takes steps away from nuclear energy, 25 countries, primarily European, have recently signed the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy by 2050.

This declaration, issued at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai, received additional support from Armenia, Croatia, and Jamaica, with 120 companies expressing their commitment to achieving the outlined goals.

In parallel with the shift in nuclear policy, the Spanish government has also extended administrative deadlines for renewable energy projects, its remaining foothold in decarbonization efforts.

This decision comes as part of Madrid’s broader commitment to exit coal by 2025, signalling a multifaceted approach to the country’s energy transition.

As Spain navigates the complexities of phasing out nuclear energy, questions linger about the future mix of its energy sources, the impact on electricity prices, and the ability to meet ambitious decarbonization targets.

The decision to abandon the centralized nuclear waste repository reflects a balancing act between environmental concerns, economic considerations, and the evolving landscape of global energy priorities.

The coming years will be crucial in shaping Spain’s energy future and its commitment to a sustainable, low-carbon trajectory.

 

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members