Key data
| Regulation | Order TED/864/2026, of August 12 |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | August 14, 2026 |
| Entry into force | August 14, 2026 |
| Authorization holder | Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo, AIE |
| Affected units | Units I and II of the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant |
| New authorized closure date | June 8, 2030 |
| Control body | Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) |
| Impact on renewables (PNIEC 2030) | Estimated reduction of 1.4% |
| Definitive nuclear park closure | 2035 (no changes) |
| Category | Energy |
The two units of the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant have the green light to operate until June 8, 2030. Order TED/864/2026, published on August 14, 2026, grants the renewal of the operating authorization to Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo, AIE, aligning with the current Periodic Safety Review.
The decision is justified by three concrete factors: the energy crisis in the Middle East, the volatility of natural gas prices, and the need for stability in the Spanish electrical system. It is not a long-term decision: the framework for nuclear park closure in 2035 remains unchanged.
What does this regulation establish?
Order TED/864/2026 formally renews the operating authorization of Units I and II of the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant, which is owned by Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo, AIE. The renewal extends until June 8, 2030 and is conditioned on compliance with the technical limits included in the order's annex.
The Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) issued a favorable report, but conditioned: operation is only valid if the operating limits and conditions (LCO) detailed in that annex are respected. This implies that any relevant technical deviation could compromise the validity of the authorization.
The extension is framed within the current Periodic Safety Review, the regulatory mechanism that evaluates whether a plant can continue operating with guarantees. The result of that review has been positive, which has enabled the renewal.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Holder | Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo, AIE |
| Renewed units | Unit I and Unit II |
| Authorization validity | Until June 8, 2030 |
| CSN report condition | Favorable, conditioned on compliance with technical annex |
| Technical basis | Current Periodic Safety Review |
| Decommissioning costs | No significant increase according to Enresa |
| European renewable objectives | Not compromised by this extension |
Economic and operational impact
From the perspective of the electrical system, the continuity of Almaraz provides base generation capacity in a context of high natural gas volatility and geopolitical tension in the Middle East. For electricity market operators, this translates into greater predictability of supply and potentially lower upward pressure on wholesale prices.
The impact on renewable generation has been quantified: the extension implies a reduction of 1.4% with respect to PNIEC objectives in 2030. This figure is considered minimal by the regulation and does not compromise European renewable objectives. For renewable project developers, this means that the expected market space is not materially altered.
Regarding the costs of managing the final stage of fuel and decommissioning, Enresa (National Company for Radioactive Waste) has evaluated that the extension does not significantly increase decommissioning costs or radioactive waste management costs. This is relevant data for shareholders and financiers of Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo, AIE, since associated accounting provisions should not be materially altered.
Who does it affect?
- Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo, AIE: authorization holder, must ensure compliance with the technical limits of the order's annex.
- Electricity market operators: the continuity of Almaraz affects the supply structure in the pool and price hedging strategies.
- Renewable energy developers: the impact is minimal (−1.4% PNIEC), but they must incorporate it into their business models and installed capacity forecasts.
- Industrial electricity consumers: the stability of base generation can influence wholesale market prices and therefore long-term supply contracts.
- Enresa: manages the decommissioning fund and radioactive waste; the extension does not significantly alter its financial obligations according to the published evaluation.
- Communities in the Almaraz area (Extremadura): the plant continues operating in their territory until 2030, with associated economic and local employment implications.
- CFOs and financial directors of energy companies: must review provisions, long-term contracts, and hedging strategies in light of this new time horizon.
Practical example
A wind farm developer who was modeling their project with the hypothesis that Almaraz would close before 2030 must update their forecasts. The extension until June 2030 maintains in the system a base generation capacity that, according to the regulation, reduces by 1.4% the renewable penetration expected in the PNIEC for 2030. In practical terms, this does not invalidate any approved renewable project, but it can slightly adjust wholesale market price forecasts for the 2026-2030 period.
On the other hand, a financial director of an industrial company with electricity supply contracts indexed to the wholesale market can interpret this extension as a stabilizing factor: Almaraz provides base generation that reduces dependence on natural gas, whose volatility has been the main argument to justify the renewal.
What should companies do now?
- Nuclear operators and Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo, AIE: review and verify compliance with all technical limits included in the annex of Order TED/864/2026. The CSN report is favorable but conditioned: any non-compliance can compromise the authorization.
- CFOs of energy companies: review accounting provisions for decommissioning and radioactive waste. According to Enresa, there is no significant increase, but it is advisable to document this evaluation for audits and financial reporting.
- Renewable developers: update financial and generation models incorporating the Almaraz horizon until June 2030 and the impact of −1.4% on PNIEC objectives. It is not a material change, but it should be reflected in project documentation.
- Companies with long-term electricity supply contracts: analyze whether the Almaraz extension affects price clauses or hedges contracted for the 2026-2030 period.
- Regulatory compliance departments in the energy sector: register Order TED/864/2026 in regulatory monitoring systems and schedule a compliance status review before the definitive closure in 2030.
Frequently asked questions
How long can the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant operate after this renewal?
Order TED/864/2026 authorizes the operation of Units I and II of Almaraz until June 8, 2030. This date aligns with the current Periodic Safety Review and does not modify the schedule for definitive closure of the Spanish nuclear park, set for 2035.
Does the Almaraz extension affect PNIEC renewable objectives?
Yes, but minimally. The regulation estimates a reduction of 1.4% with respect to PNIEC renewable objectives in 2030. This figure does not compromise European renewable energy objectives, according to the evaluation included in the order itself.
Do nuclear decommissioning costs increase due to this extension?
Not significantly. Enresa (National Company for Radioactive Waste) has evaluated that the extension until 2030 does not significantly increase decommissioning costs or radioactive waste management costs. Associated accounting provisions should not be materially altered.
What conditions does the Nuclear Safety Council impose for the authorization to be valid?
The Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) issued a favorable report conditioned on compliance with the technical limits included in the annex of Order TED/864/2026. Non-compliance with these limits could compromise the validity of the operating authorization.
Is the 2035 nuclear shutdown in Spain still on track?
Yes. Order TED/864/2026 does not modify the schedule for definitive closure of the Spanish nuclear park, which remains set for 2035. The Almaraz extension until 2030 is a one-off measure justified by the energy crisis in the Middle East and natural gas volatility.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-17756