The report Environmental sustainability of electricity sector planning 2015-2020, published in May by the Ministry of Industry, foresees that the Garoña nuclear power plant will start producing electricity in 2016. The Ministry of Development has authorised the plant to operate until 2031, according to Interior.

This decision does not mean the automatic opening of the plant, but it does mean a clear political position in favour of it. Two variables still need to be clarified. On the one hand, the Nuclear Safety Council has to give its assent, and in order to do so, new investments could be requested from the owners of the plant. On the other hand, there is the will of the owners of the plant, that is, of Iberdrola and Endesa. To make the decision, two factors will be analysed: economic profitability and social pressure.

For all these reasons, it can be said that the period of production of nuclear power plants is about to be completed, with an expansion of 40 to 60 years.