In February 2025, the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, visited the Almaraz nuclear power plant to express her disagreement with the central government’s decision to gradually shut down all of the country’s nuclear facilities. Amid plans to decommission seven Spanish nuclear power plants between 2027 and 2035, as well as the recent large-scale power outage, Madrid’s regional authorities announced their intention to develop their own nuclear energy projects.
In May, Energy Advisor Carlos Novillo reported that the region is considering the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs), which have not yet been used on an industrial scale. In the near future, Madrid will launch a new strategy aimed at expanding research in nuclear energy. The IMDEA Energía Institute for Advanced Studies will play a key role in this process, opening new areas of work and participating in European initiatives to develop nuclear technologies.
Particular attention is being given to cooperation with industrial companies interested in creating an Alliance for small modular reactors. In addition, the regional Ministry of Education, Science, and Universities will allocate at least two contracts under the Gabriela Morreale program to attract leading specialists who will head research groups in this field. Over the next ten years, up to 128 scientists are expected to be hired, with total investment reaching approximately 265 million euros. This initiative is expected to create more than 700 new jobs related to nuclear research.
Funding will be directed toward priority scientific projects related to nuclear energy, which will receive dedicated support under the regional research and innovation plan. According to Novillo, nuclear energy is considered critically important for Madrid’s future, and new facilities, including mini-reactors, may be established here in the long term. These plans align with the initiative to build data centers, which could eventually be powered by small nuclear installations.
The announcement of the nuclear strategy comes amid tense relations between the regional and central governments. Ayuso has repeatedly accused Madrid of lacking a clear energy policy and of attempting to “shut down and drain” the region. In addition to the nuclear issue, during the debate the president will also present an emergency housing plan, the reopening of Metro Line 7B, and an investment of 160 million euros to fight forest fires and preserve green areas as part of the Madrid Forestal program, scheduled through 2030.
