Spanish nuclear power plants have to stay in use for forty more years says leading energy chief

NUCLEAR power stations in Spain must remain active for another decade at least if the country wants to fulfill its obligations under the Paris Agreement, a top energy chief has warned.

José Folgado, president of Red Eléctrica de España (REE) said it was ‘essential’ for the nation’s nuclear plants to last for 40 years in order to reduce CO2 emissions by 26%.

Nuclear energy produces zero carbon dioxide, would not increase electricity prices and would be a backup until renewable energy methods are fully developed, Forgado argues.

He added that the future electrification of public transport was “irreversible” and called for Spain to put more investment into transporting goods by railway.