Spain emits more CO2 than France, despite enacting six times more environmental laws. This surprising finding from the April blackout highlights Spain’s energy policy and the role of nuclear power. Despite a strong commitment to renewable energies and a dilution of nuclear power, Spain ranks only 22nd in the Environmental Performance Index for April, far behind France (12th place) and most of its European partners.
Spain’s Environmental Policy in International Comparison
The Juan de Mariana Institute, in its presentation of the regulatory Laffer Curve, illuminates the striking difference between Spain and France. For every environmental standard approved in France, at least six provisions of the same type have been introduced in Spain. Nevertheless, Spain ranks 22nd in the Environmental Performance Index conducted by Yale University, while France ranks 12th. Countries such as Estonia, Luxembourg, Germany, Finland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Greece, and Malta also achieve better results than Spain.
The think tank, chaired by Manuel Llamas, explains that the key lies in France’s simpler regulatory model, which promotes the development of nuclear power plants to ensure a stable, secure, and predictable energy supply. Spain’s objections to nuclear energy as an argument for being a pioneer in environmental protection collide with another fact: Spain emits more CO2 per capita than France. Spanish residents emit 4.6 tons per person, compared to 4.1 tons in France. Similarly, CO2 emissions per dollar of GDP generated are higher in Spain (0.14 kilograms) than in France (0.11 kilograms), according to the JdM Institute.
Ideology versus Technology: The Nuclear Power Debate in Spain
The debate over nuclear power plants in Spain is intensifying. While the Catalan Parliament pushes for the closure of nuclear power plants, employer associations like CEIM and Creex defend the expansion of the Almaraz plant. Miguel Garrido, president of CEIM, emphasizes that “while all of Europe is strengthening its commitment to nuclear energy, we in Spain continue to put ideology before technology.”
CEIM and Creex call for an agreement between the government and operating companies that allows for a mixed system of nuclear and renewable energies. This is crucial in light of international uncertainties to avoid severe episodes such as the April 28 blackout. The two employer associations see a tax review as jeopardizing the profitability of the plants. They emphasize that nuclear energy is cheap, safe, and clean, and that dismantling Almaraz would lead to a direct increase in electricity prices and additional CO2 emissions.
Impact of Nuclear Power Plant Closures: Costs and Emissions
Business leaders from Madrid and Extremadura highlighted three fundamental aspects during their visit to the Almaraz plant that would be a direct consequence of its closure:
- Supply Risk: The risk of ensuring supply during periods of high demand and low renewable energy production.
- Electricity Price Increase: A direct increase in electricity prices, which would mean an increase in electricity bills for households and SMEs by 23% (costing 22.5 billion euros) and up to 35% for industry.
- Increase in CO2 Emissions: The abolition of the nuclear power fleet would mean an additional emission of 21 million tons of CO2 per year, representing a 73% increase in emissions from the electricity generation system.
The tax burden on nuclear power generation increased by 400% between 2008 and 2019 (the date when the planned decommissioning schedule was set) and by another 50% since then, both organizations point out.
Future of Nuclear Energy: Extension Instead of Decommissioning?
The Government Delegate of Extremadura, José Luis Quintana, met last week with the Almaraz power plant’s works council, who conveyed the demand for the continuity of the nuclear power plant for at least 20 years. The Ministry for Ecological Transition has responded by assuring that an extension can be granted, but only at the request of these companies. The PP plans to submit a bill to expand nuclear power plants soon, highlighting the ongoing debate about energy supply in Spain.
