The government extends the lifespan of the Almaraz nuclear plant until 2030

The Spanish government has decided to extend the lifespan of the Almaraz nuclear plant, allowing it to operate until June 2030. This decision has been made in response to the volatility of energy prices in the Middle East, as reported by El País.

The authorization was renewed on Friday by the Ministry for Ecological Transition, which maintains the rest of the scheduled closure timeline for nuclear plants in the country until 2035. The renewal affects Units I and II of the plant, which are owned by Iberdrola, Endesa, and Naturgy.

The application for the extension was submitted in October 2025 by the entity Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo. As part of the process, the Nuclear Safety Council issued a favorable report on July 16, 2026, after conducting a detailed assessment of the technical documentation and ongoing monitoring of nuclear safety at the facility.

The order formalizing this extension has been published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), following approval from the aforementioned council. This step is crucial for ensuring the continuity of energy supply in the country, considering the current circumstances of the energy market.

The decision is also set against the backdrop of a growing reliance on more sustainable energy sources and the pressure to balance energy security with commitments to ecological transition. However, the current timeline for closing other nuclear facilities remains unchanged.

With this measure, the government aims to ensure that the Almaraz nuclear plant, one of the most important in the country, can continue contributing to the electrical grid until the end of the specified period, while facing the challenges posed by developments in the energy sector in Spain.