We know that in Spain there are 5 nuclear power plants in operation. Two of them have two twin units, so we can count the number of active reactors in total as 7. We also have another nuclear power plant in a shutdown condition, so its closure is imminent. Nuclear power has its advantages and disadvantages like almost any type of energy source. The nuclear power plants in Spain They are those that provide part of the entire energy mix in our country.
Therefore, we are going to dedicate this article to tell you everything you need to know about nuclear power plants in Spain.
Nuclear power plants in Spain
There are 7 groups of electrical energy production of various types. On the one hand, we have the groups for the production of electrical energy of light water under pressure and, on the other hand, those of light water boiling. We know that in order of seniority we have within the group of light pressure water the list of plants: Almaraz with two units, Ascó with two units, Vandellós II and Trillo. This is the last plant that was launched in our country.
Regarding the group of boiling water plants, we have the oldest one, which is the Santa María de Garoña, followed by Cofrentes. This first is the one that is in a cessation of exploitation, so it will soon be closed.
We are going to analyze step by step some of the main characteristics of the nuclear power plants in Spain.
Almaraz nuclear power plant
It is located in the municipality of Almaraz, in Cáceres on the left bank of the Tagus River. It is mainly composed of two units that works through a nuclear system of steam production by a pressurized light water reactor. This reactor is supplied by a North American company. The activity of this nuclear power plant began on May 1, 1981, while the second in Almaraz He did so on October 8, 1983.
We know that both units have conceived a renewal of the energy exploitation authorization until the year 2027 and 2028, respectively.
Ascó nuclear power plant
It is a nuclear power plant located in Tarragona on the right bank of the Ebro river. Like the previous one, it is also made up of two units. Each of them works by a nuclear steam production system consisting of a pressurized light water reactor. The same reactor is supplied by the American company Westinghouse from the USA.
The activity of the first reactor began in 1984, while that of the second reactor was in 1986. Both units have been granted the renewal of the energy exploitation authorization until 2021 in the month of October.
Nuclear power plants in Spain: Cofrentes
This nuclear power plant is located in Valencia there at the tail of the Embarcaderos reservoir. They are located on the right bank of the river Júcar and it works by means of a nuclear steam production system from a boiling light water reactor. It has a containment enclosure that is supplied by the American company General Electric Company. This containment area is of the MARK 3 type. The Cofrentes nuclear power plant It began operating in 1985 and has been renewed until March 2021.
Santa María de Garoña nuclear power plant
It is one of the most controversial with environmental groups given its age. It is located in the association of municipalities of Valle de Tobalina on the left bank of the Ebro river. It has a nuclear steam production system formed by a boiling light water reactor. It also has a MARK 1 time containment enclosure that is supplied by the North American company General Electric Company. The nuclear power plant has been in cessation of operation since 2013. This is due to its age and it cannot be renewed any more. Now it has various treatments for the continued operation of radioactive waste.
Trillo nuclear power plant
This nuclear power plant is located in Guadalajara on the banks of the Tagus River. It has a nuclear steam production system formed by a pressurized light water reactor. This reactor has three cooling loops and is supplied by the German company Kraftwerk Union AG. This plant began its activity in 1988 and has been granted a renewal of energy exploitation authorization until 2024.
Vandellós nuclear power plant
It is located in the municipality of L'Hospitalet del Infant, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. They work thanks to the use of a nuclear steam production system that is made up of a pressurized light water reactor. This reactor is supplied by the American company Westinghouse (USA). Its activity began in 1988 and has been granted the renewal of the energy exploitation authorization until the year 2030. It can be said that it is the most modern nuclear power plant with the longest life expectancy.
Nuclear power plants in Spain and their advantages
It must be said that nuclear energy has great advantages and few drawbacks. Nuclear power is very clean during its generation, since most reactors only emit water vapor. Power generation is cheap and a large amount of power can be generated with just one plant. This is because the contribution of nuclear energy is powerful.
Of the nuclear power plants in Spain we can say that energy production is constant. Unlike many renewable energies, production is huge and constant for hundreds of days in a row. We can also say that it is an almost inexhaustible type of energy. There are experts who consider that we should classify it as renewable since the current uranium reserves allowed to continue producing the same energy as now for thousands of years.
However, it has some drawbacks:
- Its waste is very dangerous. They are dangerous both for the health of the environment and for people.
- Accidents can be very serious.
- They are vulnerable targets. We know that natural disasters or terrorist acts at a nuclear power plant can cause enormous damage.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the nuclear power plants in Spain and their characteristics.