The Iberian Energy Observatory denounced the shutdown of reactor I at the Almaraz nuclear power plant in Spain for technical reasons, just a few days after the Spanish government announced the extension of the plant's operation until June 2030. The Ministry for Ecological Transition renewed the operating licenses for Units I and II exactly one month ago, concluding a process that began in October 2025, when the plant's owners agreed to formally request the extension.
The gradual shutdown of the two reactors, in operation since the early 1980s, was initially scheduled for November 1, 2027, for Unit I and October 31, 2028, for Unit II. The plant is owned by Iberdrola (53%), Endesa (36%), and Naturgy (11%).
The Iberian Energy Observatory accused the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council of "complacency" and of having stopped publicizing problems and incidents at nuclear power plants. The organization emphasized that the decision to extend the plant's life "runs up against the limits of materials" and is affected by climate change, which causes shutdowns and is exacerbated by reduced investment in energy conservation and renewables.
Several Portuguese municipalities along the Tagus River have already expressed concern about the extension, and OIE reiterated its demand that the agreed schedules be maintained. In August, the Observatory announced that Portuguese and Spanish environmental associations would take legal action against the extension of the plant's operation, which is located on the Tagus River and only 110 kilometers in a straight line from the Portuguese border.
