The end of an era: the closure of nuclear power plants
The deactivation process of nuclear power plants in Catalonia is already a fait accompli. This decision, which will lead to the loss of thousands of jobs, has been taken in a context where employment alternatives are scarce, especially in the regions that host these facilities. Nuclear power plants, located in areas far from large populations, add to the list of closures that affect the local economy.
Labor repercussions and compensatory measures
According to the Generalitat’s estimates, the closure of the nuclear plants will result in the loss of nearly 3,000 jobs. To mitigate this impact, the Catalan government has launched the Nuclear Transition Fund, created in 2020, which allocates 24 million euros per year to promote socio-economic development and facilitate the energy transition in the affected areas. The districts of Priorat, Baix Camp, Terra Alta, Ribera d’Ebre and Baix Ebre will be the most affected.
A plan underway
Since last year, the government has been working on the identification and prioritization of projects that can generate new job opportunities in the area. The authorities have expressed their intention that local companies benefit from this fund in order to grow and make new investments.
The energy challenge: dependence on gas
The closure of nuclear plants not only affects employment, but also poses an energy challenge. Without nuclear or thermal power plants, Spain will be forced to resort to combined cycle power plants, which depend on imported gas. The government has admitted that the power that nuclear plants will no longer supply will have to be compensated with new gas installations, thus increasing the country’s energy dependence.
A sustainable future?
The question that remains in the air is whether Spain will be able to diversify its energy production and reduce its dependence on gas. There is a great potential for biogas production which, if properly managed, could contribute to a more sustainable energy system and less vulnerable to international market fluctuations.
