Guardiola demands from the Sánchez Government to stop the closure of the Almaraz power plant after the backing of the European Parliament to maintain nuclear until 2040

The president of the Junta de Extremadura, María Guardiola, has demanded from the Gobierno de Pedro Sánchez that it “reconsider” the closure of the Almaraz nuclear power plant (Cáceres) after the Comisión de Peticiones del Parlamento Europeo approved a report favorable to prolonging its activity until at least 2040. “The message from the Parlamento Europeo is forceful and clear,” assured Guardiola, who defended that nuclear energy “is considered green transition” and “essential in a large part of European countries.”

The report approved by the Eurocámara, supported by groups from the European right and far-right, asks the Spanish Executive to suspend “any measure” aimed at the closure of nuclear power plants and to reconsider its energy policy, considering that it responds to “ideological motives”. The text also urges to evaluate new extensions for Almaraz “in accordance with the best international practices” and expresses concern for the stability of the Spanish electricity system after the recent blackouts.

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The parliamentary mission that visited the Extremaduran plant last February was composed of MEPs such as the popular Greek Fredis Beleris, the ultraconservative Poles Bogdan Rzonca and Kosma Złotowski, in addition to the far-right Dutchman Sebastian Kruis. As observers, Spanish representatives participated, such as Elena Nevado del Campo (PP) , Nacho Sánchez Amor (PSOE) , Juan Carlos Girauta (Vox) and Diego Solier (Se Acabó La Fiesta).

From Extremadura, Guardiola insisted on the economic and social impact that the closure of the plant would have, stressing that Almaraz provides direct and indirect employment to about 4,000 families from Campo Arañuelo. “What is good for Europe also has to be good for Extremadura,” affirmed the leader of the Partido Popular, who defended that keeping the plant open is fundamental to guarantee “employment, industrial competitiveness and energy sovereignty.”

The debate about the future of Almaraz has also reopened political tensions between the central Government and the Extremaduran Executive, where PP and Vox govern jointly. The regional vice-president, Óscar Fernández, assured that the Junta “has done everything it can do” to keep the plant operational and demanded from the State a reduction in tax pressure on nuclear power plants. Meanwhile, owner companies such as Iberdrola, Endesa and Naturgy formally requested from the Ministry for Ecological Transition an extension of operation until June 2030.

The calendar agreed in 2019 between the Government, energy companies and unions foresees that the first Almaraz reactor will close on November 1, 2027 and the second a year later, on October 31, 2028. However, political and business pressure to extend its useful life has been growing in recent months, against the rejection of environmental organizations such as Greenpeace, which consider that the focus should be on accelerating the transition towards renewable energies.