PAVILION | SPAIN MEET SPAIN’S NUCLEAR SECTOR AT WNE2021
First power Spain’s first nuclear power plant, José Cabrera, also known as Zorita, began operation in July 1968, only three and a half years after construction started.
and Vandellos 2) Valencia (Cofrentes) and Guadalajara (Trillo).
Santa Maria De Garona Trillo Almaraz
Asco Vandellos
Jose Cabrera (Zorita) Cofrentes
NUCLEAR GENERATORS Several of Spain’s power companies have interests in the country’s nuclear units. For example Trillo is jointly owned by Iberdrola (48%), Unión Fenosa (34.5%), Hidroeléctrica del Cantábrico (15.5%) and Nuclenor (2%). Asco I belongs to Endesa and Adco 2 is jointly owned by Endesa (85%) and Iberdrola (15%).
NUCLEAR SITES Spain has nuclear power plant sites in decommissioning in Guadalajara (Jose Cabrera), Burgos (Santa Maria de Garona), and Tarragona (Vandellos 1). It has operating power plants in Cáceres (two units at Almaraz), Cataluna (two units at Asco
Though the new policies and increased electrification will reduce Spain’s import dependency, the rapid
closure of coal and nuclear facilities over the coming decade bears watching, as it could increase the country’s call on natural gas, especially if new renewables capacity cannot be built as quickly as planned. “As such, the government will need to pay special attention to prevent natural gas generation capacity from simultaneously exiting the system. In this regard, the government should thoroughly assess the cost implications for consumers of the expedited phase-out of both coal and nuclear generation.”
International Energy Agency, May 2021 review of Spain’s energy policy
Tecnatom highlights its longstanding support to nuclear
Virlab SA says with thousands of tests in its history it has become a
European centre for reference in vibration and shock testing
50 | WNE Special Edition |
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programmes of various countries, and its participation in international reactor research, such as for the international nuclear fusion project (ITER), the Jules Horowitz reactor (France), Halden (Norway) and the IFMIF facility (Japan). It also refers to its work on the digitalisation ‘ technological revolution’. Introducing a white paper on ‘digital twins’ it says digitalisation is key to achieving greater competitiveness and efficiency. It is among solutions that improve understanding of the status of the plant and its facilities, providing a better situational awareness, help to reduce human error and improve safety.
POTENTIAL AND CURRENT NEW REACTOR PROJECTS Spain’s nuclear reactors generated 22% of its electricity in 2019. Nevertheless a phaseout is planned, with four reactors scheduled to close by the end of 2030, and the remainder by 2035.
Spain’s Foro Nuclear has argued recently that nuclear power can help relieve the pressure of high electricity prices in Spain. But it has warned that nuclear production in Spain “has been subjected to a growing, suffocating tax burden in recent years that has significantly increased its cost and makes it unprofitable in the medium term”.
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