Spain — Nuclear Fleet Overview

Operating Reactors (database): 0 tracked in platform Total Tracked Capacity: see fleet summary Under Construction (database): 0 Planned: 0 Regulatory Body: CSN (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear)

Fleet Summary

Spain's nuclear industry began in the 1960s, with its first commercial reactor, José Cabrera, coming online in 1968. As of 2023, Spain operates 7 nuclear power reactors across five sites, with a total installed capacity of approximately 7.1 GWe, contributing about 20% of the country's electricity. The fleet, primarily consisting of pressurized water reactors (PWRs), has been stable since the 1980s, though no new reactors have been built due to a moratorium on nuclear expansion. The current trajectory involves phased decommissioning, with plans to shut down all reactors between 2027 and 2035 under a government agreement.

Policy & Outlook

Spain's nuclear policy is shaped by a commitment to phase out nuclear power by 2035, as outlined in the 2021 Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC), prioritizing renewable energy expansion. The government, led by the Socialist Party (PSOE), has maintained a moratorium on new nuclear construction since 1984, reflecting public and political opposition post-Chernobyl. There are no active plans for small modular reactors (SMRs) or new nuclear technologies, with focus instead on decommissioning and waste management strategies. The state-owned company ENRESA manages radioactive waste and decommissioning, with a centralized storage facility (ATC) project still under development. Despite industry calls for extending reactor lifespans due to energy security, the policy remains firmly anti-nuclear in the long term.

Key Sites

• Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant (Cáceres): Located in Extremadura, Almaraz hosts two PWR units with a combined capacity of 2.1 GWe, making it Spain's largest nuclear facility; it has been operational since 1981 and 1983, respectively.
• Ascó Nuclear Power Plant (Tarragona): Situated in Catalonia, Ascó operates two PWR units with a total capacity of 2.0 GWe, online since 1983 and 1985; it has faced minor safety incidents but remains a key contributor to the grid.
• Trillo Nuclear Power Plant (Guadalajara): Trillo, with a single PWR unit of 1.0 GWe operational since 1988, is notable for its modern design and safety upgrades; it is one of the last reactors built before the moratorium.

Historical Context

Spain's nuclear program started in the 1960s under Franco's regime, with the first reactor, José Cabrera (also known as Zorita), commissioned in 1968 as part of an industrialization push. The 1970s and early 1980s saw rapid expansion, with seven reactors built, peaking at nine operational units before Zorita's closure in 2006. A significant milestone was the 1984 moratorium on new nuclear projects, influenced by public concern after the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl disasters. The Vandellòs I reactor shutdown in 1989 after a turbine fire (no radiological release) further shaped public skepticism toward nuclear energy.

Operating Reactors (Platform Database)

No reactors in database for this category.

Under Construction (Platform Database)

None in database.

Sources

• IAEA PRIS — Spain — IAEA Power Reactor Information System
• WNA Country Profile — World Nuclear Association
• CSN (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear) — National nuclear regulator

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Enriched by Grok · Second Atomic Age Nuclear Wiki · 2026-05-10