Spanish Garoña Plant Likely to Close in July 2013

On 5 September 2012, the operator of the Spanish Garoña plant wrote to the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism that it is “not in a position to request the renewal of the operating license”, which runs out in July 2013. The operator Nuclenor claims that “regulatory doubts” have lead to a level of uncertainty that “puts the economic feasibility of the plant in doubt”. Nuclenor estimates that the continued operation of the 446 MW Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) would require investments of about €120 million.