Nuclear operator Nuclenor considering maintaining Garoña plant open

The board of directors of Nucleor, operator of the nuclear plant of Garoña, has requested the Spanish Government to revoke the date of closure of the plant, which is scheduled to stop working next July 6th, and "keep the door open to the renewal of the existing authorization.

In 2012, Nuclenor decided to shut down the nuclear plant of Garoña, the oldest in Spain, ahead of new taxes included in a government energy reform that would render the plant unviable.

Spain introduced higher taxes on electricity generation as a measure to address an over 24 billion euro ($31 billion)energy tariff deficit after years of selling power below costs.

The energy reform would add 153 million euros of taxes on Garoña in 2013, its operator Nuclenor said in a statement, adding this would "increase current economic losses to the point of sending Nuclenor into bankruptcy."

The nuclear plant of Garoña opened in 1970 and produced about 1.4 percent of annual Spanish electricity output. Spain's industry ministry had wanted to keep Garoña open to assure a mix of energy options for the country, but Nuclenor said it would need to invest around 120 million euros in order to keep the plant running, while also facing higher taxes.

Spain relies on imports to cover its energy needs, with nuclear energy providing 20 percent of domestic electric demand in 2011.