Spain: Garona nuclear plant open 6 more years

The 50-year-old Garona nuclear plant will stay open another 6 years, according to today's Official State Bulletin. The decision by the Ministry for Industry comes after the Nuclear Security Council voted in favor of keeping the plant open, and in spite of environmentalist opposition. Spain relies too heavily on energy imports, and must diversify its sources, the government said. The electricity sector has an accumulated deficit of 24 billion euros, and it's growing by 4 billion euros a year. Last year, nuclear energy covered 20% of the country's demand for electricity. The Spanish Nuclear Forum applauded the government's decision as did Garona plant owner Nuclenor, which has announced new, job-creating investments there. On the opposite front, Greenpeace and Ecologistas en Accion said the plant is too old to be kept open. They accused the government of ignoring reports that the plant is unsafe as well as EU directives on the lifespan of nuclear plants, and have sued before the Supreme Court for Garona to be closed permanently. (ANSAMed).