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From Almaraz to Vandellós and Ascó
🇪🇸 Spain /Energy & Infrastructure

From Almaraz to Vandellós and Ascó

From La Vanguardia · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Spain's government will not extend the lifespan of most nuclear power plants, despite recently authorizing four more years for the Almaraz plant.
  • Three Catalan nuclear plants, Ascó I, Ascó II, and Vandellós, produce 56% of the region's electricity and are crucial until renewables can compensate.
  • The planned closures for Ascó I (2030), Ascó II (2032), and Vandellós (2035) pose a challenge, as renewable energy production in Catalonia is significantly behind schedule.

Spain's government has stated it does not plan to extend the operational life of most nuclear power plants, a decision that follows its recent authorization for the Almaraz nuclear facility in Extremadura to continue operating for four additional years. However, this policy faces a critical re-evaluation concerning three nuclear power plants in Catalonia: Ascó I, Ascó II, and Vandellós.

The Ascó I plant is scheduled to close in 2030, while Ascó II should be decommissioned in 2032, and Vandellós is slated for dismantling in 2035.

— N/ADetails the planned closure dates for the three Catalan nuclear power plants.

These three Catalan plants are vital, collectively generating 56% of the electricity consumed within the community. Their continued operation is considered essential until renewable energy sources can reliably meet the region's demand. The scheduled closures, Ascó I in 2030, Ascó II in 2032, and Vandellós in 2035, present a significant challenge, given the substantial delay in the development of renewable energy production in Catalonia compared to initial projections and the pace seen elsewhere in Spain.

Renewable energy sources accounted for 40.7% of Catalonia's installed capacity in 2025 but only produced 21.3% of the electricity. This disparity highlights the intermittent nature of wind and solar power compared to the continuous output of nuclear facilities. To compensate for the nuclear plants' closure by 2030, Catalonia's energy plan (Proencat 2050) estimates a need for approximately 12,000 MW of renewable capacity, more than doubling the current 5,000 MW. This ambitious target requires significant upgrades to electrical grids, large-scale storage solutions, and improved interconnections with neighboring regions.

It is practically impossible that from now until then, renewable energy production in Catalonia can develop to the point of replacing the electrical production of these three plants.

— N/AExpresses skepticism about Catalonia's ability to meet energy needs with renewables by the nuclear plants' closure dates.

Industry association Foment del Treball is urging electrical companies to request extensions for the Catalan plants, citing the difficulty in meeting renewable energy targets. Conversely, the Catalan government maintains its commitment to a 2050 transition based on renewables, energy saving, and efficiency. This commitment, however, faces local opposition to the installation of new wind and solar farms, creating a complex energy policy landscape for the region.

The extension of Catalan nuclear power plants is key to an orderly energy transition.

— N/AHighlights the importance of nuclear power for a smooth energy transition in Catalonia.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Vanguardia in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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