Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of May 29, 2026, from the General Directorate of Energy Planning and Coordination |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | June 9, 2026 |
| Effective date | June 9, 2026 |
| Authorized promoter | Enresa (National Company for Radioactive Waste) |
| Installation | Vandellós I nuclear power plant (latency phase) |
| Purpose | Execution and assembly of the Temporary Storage (TS) facility for radioactive waste |
| Reference framework | 7th General Plan for Radioactive Waste |
| Environmental Impact Statement | Approved in March 2026 |
| Favorable CSN report | Issued on May 27, 2026 |
| Category | Energy |
| Year | 2026 |
Enresa may execute and assemble the Temporary Storage (TS) facility at the Vandellós I nuclear installation as of June 9, 2026, the date of publication and entry into force of the Resolution from the General Directorate of Energy Planning and Coordination. This authorization closes the cycle of return of waste from reprocessing in France of spent fuel from the power plant, as established by the 7th General Plan for Radioactive Waste.
The resolution is backed by two previous milestones: the Environmental Impact Statement approved in March 2026 and the favorable report from the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) issued on May 27, 2026. Without both documents, the authorization could not have been materialized.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution authorizes Enresa to execute and assemble the Temporary Storage facility at Vandellós I and imposes a set of technical conditions that must be met throughout the construction process. Below are all the requirements included in the regulation:
| Technical condition | Detail |
|---|---|
| Building classification | Storage facility buildings must be classified as safety-relevant |
| Chloride limits in concrete | Specific chloride limits are established for concrete used in construction |
| Fire protection | Mandatory in accordance with requirements applicable to nuclear installations in latency phase |
| Monthly reporting to CSN | Enresa must submit monthly reports to the Nuclear Safety Council throughout the construction phase |
| Geotechnical mapping | Detailed geotechnical mapping of the site is required |
| Hydrogeological monitoring | Mandatory hydrogeological monitoring program during construction and operation of the storage facility |
The storage facility is designed to house radioactive waste from reprocessing in France of spent fuel from Vandellós I, a power plant that has been in latency phase for years (an intermediate state between cessation of operation and final decommissioning).
Economic and operational impact
The resolution does not include specific economic amounts associated with the construction of the storage facility. However, the operational impact for Enresa and supervisory bodies is significant:
- For Enresa: Obligation to execute the project under strict technical conditions, with monthly reporting to the CSN. Any deviation from the established conditions may halt the work.
- For the CSN: Active and continuous supervision throughout the construction phase, with receipt and analysis of monthly reports.
- For local administrations: The Environmental Impact Statement approved in March 2026 already incorporates the environmental conditions that must be respected in the Vandellós area.
- For citizens in the surrounding area: The hydrogeological monitoring program ensures continuous monitoring of possible impacts on the subsoil and groundwater.
From the perspective of the energy sector, this authorization represents a concrete step in the implementation of the 7th General Plan for Radioactive Waste, the framework document that regulates the management of all nuclear waste in Spain.
Who does it affect?
- Enresa: Promoter and direct responsible party for the execution, assembly and compliance with all technical conditions imposed by the resolution.
- Nuclear Safety Council (CSN): Supervisory body that will receive monthly reports and must validate compliance with safety conditions.
- General Directorate of Energy Planning and Coordination: Authority that issued the resolution and maintains supervisory competence.
- Local administrations in the Vandellós area: Affected by the environmental conditions derived from the Environmental Impact Statement of March 2026.
- Citizens and communities in the Vandellós I area: Beneficiaries of the hydrogeological monitoring program and environmental protection measures established.
- Contractor companies in the nuclear sector: Those participating in construction must comply with technical specifications regarding concrete, fire protection and building classification.
Practical example
A construction company hired by Enresa to execute the works of the Temporary Storage facility at Vandellós I must, from the first day of work:
- Ensure that the buildings it constructs are classified as safety-relevant, which implies following design and material specifications more demanding than conventional civil works.
- Use concrete that meets the chloride limits established in the resolution, with corresponding laboratory tests and certifications.
- Install the fire protection systems required for nuclear installations in latency phase.
- Provide Enresa with the necessary documentation so that it can prepare and submit the monthly report to the CSN within the established timeframes.
If any of these conditions is not met, Enresa could see the work halted until the deviation is corrected, with the consequent impact on project timelines and costs.
What should companies do now?
- If you are Enresa or main contractor: Immediately review the technical conditions of the resolution (building classification, chloride limits, fire protection) and incorporate them into the specifications and contracts with subcontractors.
- Establish the monthly reporting system to the CSN: Design the internal process for collecting construction data to ensure that monthly reports to the Nuclear Safety Council are submitted on time and with the required content.
- Commission geotechnical mapping: If not already underway, initiate detailed geotechnical mapping work of the site, a requirement expressly required by the resolution.
- Activate the hydrogeological monitoring program: Launch the subsoil and groundwater monitoring program before the start of works.
- Verify compliance with the Environmental Impact Statement: Check that all environmental conditions approved in March 2026 are integrated into the construction project.
- If you are a local administration or entity in the surrounding area: Request information from Enresa about the hydrogeological monitoring program and the communication channels established for environmental monitoring of the project.
Frequently asked questions
What waste will be stored in the temporary storage facility at Vandellós I?
The temporary storage facility will house radioactive waste from the reprocessing in France of spent fuel from the Vandellós I nuclear power plant. This reprocessing was carried out in French facilities and the resulting waste must return to Spain in accordance with the 7th General Plan for Radioactive Waste.
What technical conditions must Enresa meet during construction?
The resolution imposes six specific conditions: classification of buildings as safety-relevant, compliance with chloride limits in concrete, installation of fire protection, submission of monthly reports to the CSN, preparation of detailed geotechnical mapping and execution of a hydrogeological monitoring program.
When does the authorization to build the storage facility at Vandellós I come into force?
The authorization came into force on June 9, 2026, the date of publication of the resolution in the BOE. Previously, the Environmental Impact Statement was approved in March 2026 and the favorable report from the Nuclear Safety Council was issued on May 27, 2026.
What role does the Nuclear Safety Council play in this project?
The CSN issued the favorable report on May 27, 2026, without which the authorization could not have been granted. Additionally, throughout the construction phase, Enresa must submit monthly progress reports to it, making the CSN the active and continuous supervisor of the project.
What is the latency phase in which Vandellós I is located?
The latency phase is the intermediate state in the life cycle of a nuclear power plant, after the definitive cessation of electricity generation and prior to the complete decommissioning of the installations. In this phase, the power plant maintains certain active structures to manage waste and prepare for final decommissioning.
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-2026-12507