The ‘Yes to Almaraz platform, yes to the future’ has alerted this Marts in the Assembly of Extremadura of the “catastrophic consequences” that would mean the closure of the Almaraz nuclear power plant, both because of its negative impact on employment, demographic balance, energy security and industrial competitiveness.
This was highlighted by the president of the ‘Yes to Almaraz platform, yes to the future’, Fernando Sánchez, in his appearance on Tuesday before the Treasury Commission and Budgets of the Assembly of Extremadura, in which he has appealed to “a favorable fiscal framework that makes the operation of the companies viable and does not criminalize the activity of the nuclear power plants.”
In his speech, Sánchez has also urged the “joint responsibility” of the owners of the nuclear power plant, the Board of Extremadura and the Government of Spain to avoid a closure that “would put in check the supply and electrical autonomy of Spain and Europe.”
Fernando Sánchez recalled that Spain is immersed in an “still incomplete” energy transition, marked by a strong dependence on intermittent renewable sources, an inefficient electrical distribution network, lack of storage and need for fossil energy imports, he said.
In this context, he has warned that the closure of nuclear plants such as Almaraz “would compromise the security of electricity supply and strategic autonomy, not only from Spain, but of the entire European Union, in the new world context,” said Sánchez.
“The Almaraz nuclear power plant is a fundamental pillar for the economy of the region, generating a direct quality and very significant indirect employment in the region and holding numerous local businesses”, so the closing of this plant “would have devastating consequences for the local and regional economy,” said the president of the platform.
Loss of direct and indirect employment
According to the data it has contributed, the direct and indirect employment generated in the region The Central represents more than 5% of Extremadura GDP, and its closure would mean the loss of more than 3,800 jobs in the region and 15,300 throughout Spain, in addition to supposing a drop of 207 million euros in the Gross Extremeño added value, he said.
“Almaraz’s disappearance would accelerate the process of depopulation and demographic aging that already threatens our community,” said Sánchez, who has asserted that if this plant manages to continue, it will become “a European example of how to compatible the energy transition with sustainable regional development,” he said.
He also recalled that the European Commission advocates reducing dependencies and strengthening strategic autonomy, before what Sanchez has defended the role of nuclear energy as “clean, reliable and available source”, essential to maintain competitiveness and attract new electricity intensive industries, such as data centers, according to this platform in a press release.
It has also valued the impact of the nuclear industry on technological innovation and professional qualification: “Close Almaraz would be to close a door to investment, to qualified employment and a robust industrial value chain. It is an international reference center for its high standards of operation,” he said.
Finally, the president of the ‘Yes to Almaraz’ platform has appealed to a “favorable fiscal framework that makes the operation of companies viable and does not penalize the activity of nuclear power plants.”
