The Popular Party (PP) in Spain has announced plans to introduce a legislative proposal aimed at extending the operational life of the country's nuclear power plants, backed by assured votes from the Junts party.

This move follows a successful motion passed in Congress exactly one month ago, which urged the government to halt the dismantling of existing nuclear facilities.

The recent victory has prompted the PP to advocate for a law that seeks to 'reverse the schedule for the closure' of these plants.

According to PP sources, the proposal will secure sufficient votes for passage, with Junts playing a critical role in the current parliamentary arithmetic.

Over recent months, Josep Sánchez Llibre, president of the Catalan business union Foment del Treball, has engaged with various political leaders, including those from the PP and Junts, to emphasize the necessity of reconsidering nuclear closures.

This outreach has allowed the PP to gauge the support from the seven votes belonging to Carles Puigdemont.

While the PP would prefer a broader approach that includes plans for new nuclear construction, the current proposal will focus on preventing the closure of existing facilities.

The draft legislation is reportedly well-advanced, guided by the deputy secretariats of Sustainable Development and Economy, and will aim to 'avoid nuclear shutdowns'.

In Catalonia, three operational reactors, located in Tarragona (two in Ascó and one in Vandellòs), provide nearly 60% of the region's electrical consumption.

According to the Nuclear Safety Council, these reactors are scheduled for decommissioning in 2027 and 2031. A spokesperson from ERC (Catalan Republican Left) highlighted the critical role these reactors play, stating, 'Without a real alternative, shutting down these facilities could significantly impact the region's energy supply.'

Last year, only 16% of electricity generation in Catalonia was derived from renewable sources.

Despite the presence of combined cycle gas plants, concerns remain regarding energy reliability and system continuity.

Sources from the neighboring Aragon region have raised alarms that shutting down the Tarragona plants could jeopardize multi-billion euro investments secured by the regional government of Jorge Azcón, stating that 'regardless of closures, we require state investment to attract major data centers that are energy-intensive.'

The Congress vote on February 12 demonstrated the emergence of an alternative majority to that formed by the Sánchez government.

This alternative coalition has manifested in various areas, including fiscal policy, housing, and international affairs, as well as energy-related measures.

The preceding motion urged the government to 'cancel the nuclear closure and decommissioning schedule for Spanish nuclear plants and extend the operational life of existing facilities within the framework of European regulations.' It noted the importance of these plants for 'economic sustainability', stable electricity supply, and their role in reducing market electricity prices and greenhouse gas emissions.

The legislative proposal seeks to affirm that nuclear technology is 'safe and cost-effective', particularly with the introduction of new microreactors, and that it aligns with the EU's green taxonomy.

The cable latency rate between the United States and Spain is deemed to be the most competitive in Europe, presenting a significant development opportunity.

The explanatory memorandum for the new law stresses that, with similar or increased energy demand, Spain currently lacks alternatives to the existing nuclear plants, warning that energy prices could rise and megawatt shortages may arise if these reactors are taken offline.

In December, an agreement between the PP and Junts to reduce electricity bills included a measure abolishing the 7% tax on electricity generation.

However, the government subsequently postponed the legislative process, citing 'unwanted changes' to the bill, eventually withdrawing it from Congress during a recent Council of Ministers meeting.

A PP spokesperson noted, 'No one wants to close the plants, neither the electricity companies nor the regional governments that host them, as closures would lead to job losses, diminished wealth, and population declines.' The initiative to phase out nuclear energy was originally spearheaded by Teresa Ribera, who served as Minister for Ecological Transition in Pedro Sánchez's first government.

However, following her role change to Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, she has adjusted her stance on nuclear energy to support inclusion in EU aid policies.

The PP's legislative proposal is expected to also receive favorable votes from Vox, further consolidating an emerging coalition in response to the government’s energy policies.

Discussions have indicated ongoing indirect contacts with Junts to confirm their readiness to support the new legislation upon its registration.