By Minener Staff | June 3, 2025
The Almaraz nuclear power plant in Extremadura may be granted a life extension, as the Spanish government shows openness to the idea—provided the proposal comes from the energy companies involved and includes a reasonable reduction in sector taxes. Owned by Iberdrola, Endesa, and Naturgy, Almaraz is one of Spain’s key nuclear facilities.
Government sources indicate that the political climate has shifted since the original shutdown protocol was signed in 2019. Although the ruling PSOE is not pro-nuclear, both the party base and cabinet members are reportedly more receptive to an extension—so long as the request originates from the private sector. Officials caution that any government-initiated move could be politically weaponized by the opposition.
The Ministry for the Ecological Transition, led by Secretary of State Sara Aagesen, is considering only a limited-term extension—unlike the multi-decade permits granted in the U.S. and some EU countries. In response, the plant’s owners are reportedly preparing a short-term proposal to prolong operations beyond 2027.
Tax Reductions: The Main Hurdle
The central issue in negotiations is a sector-wide tax reduction. Endesa supports a partial rollback targeting what it considers excessive taxes, including regional levies and spent fuel charges. Iberdrola, less dependent on nuclear energy, seeks deeper cuts to ensure nuclear remains attractive to investors.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez outlined the framework for a policy shift during a May 7 address to Congress: “First, citizen safety; second, security of electricity supply; and third, that companies foot the bill—not consumers through higher electricity costs.”
The door is now open. Aagesen has confirmed the government’s willingness to engage: “If the companies propose a new schedule extending nuclear plant life beyond 2027, we’ll listen—because we are a government that listens,” said official sources.
Still, officials stress that approval is not guaranteed. Even if all conditions are met, the government will carefully scrutinize the final proposal. The review marks a potential shift in what has long been one of Moncloa’s environmental red lines.
The Almaraz decision comes amid Spain’s broader energy transition efforts, where nuclear, renewables, and fossil fuels are all being reevaluated within the context of energy sovereignty, security, and climate targets.