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Nuclear Alert Declared At Two Catalonia Sites Just 24 Hours After Trial Alarm
Helicopter crew inspects Ascò nuclear plant. Credit: Miguel Perfectti – Shutterstock
Catalonia’s nuclear sector experienced a series of scares today, April 22, as two separate facilities in Tarragona reported fires within their plants at the same time. Emergency response teams at the Ascó and Vandellós II plants were forced into action starting at 9.35am, creating a period of brief concern for the region. Officials have confirmed that both sites successfully controlled the fires without any radiological leaks into the exterior or for the public to be concerned about.
Prophetic testing of the ES-Alert system
Coincidentally, just one day before, civil protection agencies conducted a large-scale trial of the ES-Alert mobile phone text message notification system before these genuine emergency alerts took place. This exercise reached over 75,000 residents across 61 towns and villages, simulating the exact communication chain required for a nuclear crisis. Residents who received mock alerts yesterday found themselves watching real smoke-related protocols play out today.
Fires reported at Ascó and Vandellós II
Ascó’s management activated the Internal Emergency Plan (PEI) at Level 1, the lowest category, following a fire that lasted approximately 40 minutes. Authorities briefly escalated the response to the PENTA exterior plan to make sure nearby residents remained protected until the flames were doused. Simultaneously, Vandellós II declared a “pre-alert” after a ventilation unit began belching smoke in an electrical housing building. Rapid intervention by on-site brigades stopped the issue from escalating any further, and the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) eventually classified the event as Level 0 on the international scale.
Credit: Foronuclear
Political tensions and the 2035 phase-out
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez maintains a rigid stance against the long-term future of nuclear energy in Spain, focusing instead on a total transition to renewables. His government plans a staggered closure of all seven Spanish reactors between 2027 and 2035, citing high decommissioning costs and waste management responsibilities. Local leaders, including the mayor of Ascó, argue that such a timeline is reckless given that nuclear power currently provides 60 per cent of Catalonia’s electricity.
Energy security remains a sensitive topic for the Sánchez administration as pressure grows from opposition parties to extend the life of these ageing plants. While the Prime Minister views nuclear as a temporary “bridge” technology, today’s mechanical failures provide ammunition for both sides of the debate. Supporters of the closure point to its potential safety risks, while proponents of nuclear power suggest these minor incidents prove that existing safety protocols function perfectly to protect the Spanish grid. As well, energy security is a hot potato these days in Spain as we approach the anniversary of the great blackout which left the entire country in darkness.