This Thursday, Spain’s lower house of parliament will hold a crucial vote that may alter the planned decommissioning of three nuclear power plants — Almaraz (Cáceres), Asco I (Tarragona), and Cofrentes (Valencia). The People’s Party (Partido Popular, PP) has proposed scrapping the set deadline for closing these facilities, and now the initiative’s fate rests with the Junts party, which recently distanced itself from the ruling coalition.
The debate over extending the operational life of nuclear plants has become a political flashpoint. While the government has not blocked a Senate amendment to the mobility law, other proposals related to funding electric vehicle charging stations and compensation for companies have been rejected and will not reach a vote. Officials argue this decision stems from the fact that the amendment does not impact budgetary matters and therefore does not require a mandatory veto from the executive branch.
In recent days, the Congress has received Senate amendments to the Ministry of Transport bill, considered one of the government’s top priorities. Spain’s access to significant European funds—amounting to €10 billion—depends on its approval. However, the outcome of the nuclear issue remains uncertain: some parties, including ERC, have not yet decided on their position, even though they previously supported the Socialists’ initiative in the Senate to restore the original text and maintain the current timeline for closing the plants. Junts abstained then, and now their vote could prove decisive.
Political disagreements and energy sector pressure
The PP’s amendment contradicts the agreement between PSOE and Sumar, who had previously advocated for a gradual phase-out of nuclear power. The junior coalition partner, Sumar, firmly opposes any concessions to energy giants. Meanwhile, the sector’s largest companies—Iberdrola, Endesa, and Naturgy—have asked the government to extend Almaraz’s operation until mid-2030. This would delay the shutdown of the first reactor to 2027, and the second to 2028.
In a recent interview, the Prime Minister indicated that he is open to considering proposals from energy companies, provided they can guarantee the safety and stability of energy supplies and do not demand additional tax breaks. At the same time, regional leaders—especially in Extremadura—are confident that extending the life of Almaraz is almost a done deal, citing informal agreements with the central government.
Internal party disputes and uncertainty ahead of the vote
Tensions are rising within the coalition: Sumar representatives are publicly criticizing the Prime Minister for trying to accommodate regional interests and energy companies, reminding him of the need to consider nationwide priorities. However, their ability to influence the final decision is limited, since the vote will only concern Senate amendments and not the bill as a whole.
As a result, the fate of three nuclear power plants and possibly all of Spain’s energy strategy for the coming years will be in the hands of just a few MPs. The outcome of the vote could not only change plans for decommissioning nuclear facilities, but also affect party relations and the distribution of European investment in the country’s infrastructure.
