The Almaraz nuclear power plant completes its 31st refueling cycle

The facility is awaiting MITECO's decision on extending its operation beyond 2027
Almaraz, along with the rest of Spain's nuclear power plants, contributes to the stability of the power grid by providing synchronous power and voltage control

Nuclear energy

Panoramic view of a nuclear power plant integrated into a rural landscape with vegetation, under a cloudy sky and mountains in the background.

Almaraz nuclear power plant

On 14 May the 31st refueling of Unit 1 at the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant was completed, marking the start of a new operating cycle (the 32nd), which will be the last for this unit if the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO) maintains the current nuclear phase-out schedule in Spain. During this period the facility's regular workforce grew by 1,200 additional workers — mostly from Extremadura. Over the course of the 12 day refueling operation more than 2,000 professionals worked at the facility, with peak numbers reaching 2,200 workers on-site.

On 30 October Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo officially requested that MITECO extend the operating license for the two units at the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant until June 2030. Almaraz meets all the requirements of the Periodic Safety Review approved by the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) in 2020, which remains in effect until 2030.

During this refueling, which represents a significant economic boost for the region, more than 70 national and international companies have participated, carrying out over 13,000 tasks and 15 improvement and technological upgrade modifications — work that can only be performed when the unit is shut down, so these projects are implemented while new fuel is being loaded into the reactor.

Among the many activities carried out the general overhaul and complete re-stamping of the main alternator's stator stand out, fully guaranteeing the safety and reliability of the facility for at least another 20 years. This demonstrates a clear commitment by Iberdrola España and the other owner-operators to the continued operation of the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant.

Annual investments of €50 million are made in the plant to improve, upgrade and modernize its equipment. As a result the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant is in optimal technical condition to continue operating even up to 80 years (2063). The North Anna plant (Virginia, USA), Almaraz's sister plant, already holds a license to operate for 80 years. In total, in the United States eight reactors are licensed to operate for 80 years and about eighty reactors are licensed to operate for up to 60 years and plan to apply for an extension to 80 years.

In 2025 the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant reaffirmed its position in the highest category of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), highlighting its exemplary performance and excellent operating standards. Almaraz is a major driver of economic and social development in its catchment area, generating 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Learn more about the completion of refueling cycle 31 at the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant in the press release published on its website.

The Almaraz nuclear power plant completes its 31st refueling cycle

The Almaraz nuclear power plant completes its 31st refueling cycle

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