Owners of Spain's Almaraz nuclear plant seek extension through mid-2030

Endesa SA

30/10/2025 16:53

MADRID, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Spanish energy companies Iberdrola IBE.MC, Endesa ELE.MC and Naturgy NTGY.MC have asked to extend the lifespan of their Almaraz nuclear plant by about three years until June 2030, an energy ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

A major blackout in April revived the debate over nuclear power in Spain, which plans to close all of its reactors by 2035, and the owners of Almaraz previously agreed to seek an extension.

Under the existing plan, the phase-out would start in 2027 with the closure of the first reactor at the plant in western Spain. The plant's second reactor is set to shut down the following year.

The government has encouraged the operators to propose a new timeline while setting conditions to open the discussion, namely that they guarantee security of supply, safety and that the extension does not burden taxpayers.

Spain's fiscal framework for nuclear energy has been a stumbling block, with the industry repeatedly urging policymakers to lower the taxes that they blame for hindering competitiveness.

Iberdrola has a controlling stake of almost 53% in Almaraz, with Endesa holding 36% and Naturgy around 11%.

Iberdrola and Endesa, controlled by Italian energy giant Enel ENEI.MI, are the largest owners of Spain's nuclear fleet, with Naturgy and EDP EDP.LS holding minority stakes in some plants.

 (Reporting by David Latona, writing by Andrei Khalip; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

 ((andrei.khalip@thomsonreuters.com; (351) 213-509-209;))