ForoNuclear’s report emphasizes role of nuclear power in Spain’s energy system

In the latest edition of its annual report, ForoNuclear said Spain’s nuclear power reactors generated almost 52.4 TWh net in 2024. The rectors continued to guarantee a constant and reliable energy supply. As of December 31, 2024, the total installed net capacity of the electricity generation fleet in Spain was 128,987 MWe, of which nuclear accounted for 7117 MWe (net), corresponding to 5.52% of the total installed net capacity. Commenting on the report, ForoNuclear President Ignacio Araluce emphasized how Spanish nuclear plants are essential for the country’s electricity system, contributing around 20% of the electricity consumed, even though their installed capacity remained less developed than other technologies. According to Red Eléctrica, for example, renewables accounted for 66% of the country’s total installed capacity in 2024, generating 56.8% of Spain’s electricity, up 10.3% compared with 2023. Araluce pointed out that nuclear plants operate with “the highest quality and safety standards”, thanks to the efforts and dedication of the sector’s companies and workers.
ForoNuclear’s report comes after two consecutive generation loss events in southwestern Spain on April 28. The remaining generation was insufficient to meet demand, disrupting electricity supply across the Iberian Peninsula and parts of southern France. Red Eléctrica restored most of the electricity supply on April 29. Investigations into the causes of the blackout are still ongoing. However, experts suspect a lack of rotating inertia – a term for how resistant a grid is to changes in frequency – as the main factor. Of the seven Spanish reactors, four were operational, and three offline just before the blackout. As a result of the loss of external power supply, the operating reactors shut down automatically, and safety systems were activated to maintain a safe shutdown. According to ForoNuclear, the nuclear power plants were always stable and safe during the blackout. They are now resuming production and reconnecting to the grid as instructed by Red Eléctrica, the national transmission system operator.
The blackout has reopened discussions about Spain’s energy future. Some have accused renewables of being the cause of the event and asked to maintain the country’s nuclear infrastructure.  However, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez dismissed such calls and confirmed his government’s intention to proceed with a gradual nuclear phase-out plan, with four reactors shutting down by the end of 2030 and the remaining three by 2035. This decision is hotly contested by Araluce and other representatives of the nuclear sector, who believe it does not consider recent geopolitical, technological, and environmental changes. Earlier this year, the Plenary Session of the Spanish Congress approved a non-binding proposal calling for the government to implement a series of measures reversing its decision to phase out nuclear power.