Greenpeace accuses Spanish Nuclear Safety Council of improperly renewing Almaraz nuclear power plant license until 2030

The Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) recently issued a favorable report on extending the operating license of the Almaraz nuclear power plant until 2030. However, the environmental organization Greenpeace has questioned this decision, arguing that the report fails to comply with current nuclear safety regulations. They point out that Council member Francisco Castejón abstained from the vote on approving the extension of the Almaraz plant's lifespan, which indicates blind spots in the assessment process.

Greenpeace further emphasized that the handling of this extension application is also problematic, as no new Periodic Safety Review (PSR) was conducted, instead relying on the previous assessment results that concluded in June 2018. They expressed concern that the CSN technically approved the extension without systematically examining the plant's condition and what has occurred over the past eight years.

Francisco del Pozo Campos, head of Greenpeace's energy campaign, stated that the report appears to be influenced more by political factors than technical ones, reflecting that the stance of the Council's majority has prevailed over the rigorous standards of qualified technical personnel. He called on the government to maintain consistency and firmly commit to the orderly closure of the Almaraz nuclear power plant in 2027 and 2028.

Furthermore, Greenpeace pointed out that the report shows the owners of the Almaraz nuclear power plant (Iberdrola, Endesa, and Naturgy) have repeatedly failed to comply with the safety commitments and requirements stipulated in the 2020 operating license. In deciding whether to extend the Almaraz plant's lifespan until 2030, the government will focus on three conditions: radiation safety, security of electricity supply, and avoiding additional costs for consumers.

The CSN's favorable report is based on 29 documents prepared by 16 specialized areas. Nevertheless, Greenpeace maintains that strict compliance with regulations on nuclear safety issues is essential to ensure the safety of the public and the environment.