CNAT’s performance in 2020 can be described as excellent, as it managed the operation of the plants in a situation of a state of national alarm, with very complex conditions caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, which made it necessary to deploy the army to the nuclear power plants to reinforce their security. In this context, CNAT’s response to this health crisis was highly satisfactory, as described below.

In 2020, the gross electricity production of the Almaraz and Trillo nuclear power plants totalled 24,166,605 million kilowatt hours (15,890,785 million kWh from Almaraz and 8,275,820 million kWh from Trillo), which represents 41.5% of the energy generated by the Spanish nuclear fleet and 10% of the national total. For the tenth consecutive year, nuclear energy has been the leader in generation with 22.18% of the total, followed by wind power with 21.8% and gas with 15.5%.

Important milestones achieved in 2020 included the renewal of the Operating Permit for Almaraz NPP for a period of 7 years for Unit I and 8 years for Unit II and the execution of the refuelling outages in the midst of the serious health crisis. Both refuelling outage periods were longer than usual (67 and 34 days respectively) to guarantee protection against COVID 19 for all workers. During this period, the safety and prevention measures already in place since the start of the pandemic were reinforced to minimise the risk of contagion and ensure the execution of work while guaranteeing the health of all workers.

From 19 to 23 October, CNAT hosted a WANO MSM (MemberSupportMission) with the remote participation of three representatives of WANO (World Association of Nuclear Operators). This MSM gave CNAT the opportunity to learn about best practices on Operational Experience. The work carried out highlighted the importance of having a strong Operational Experience culture integrated into all the organisation’s activities. It also identified as CNAT’s best practices the existence of user-friendly tools to improve the awareness of the human team and the adaptation of the lessons learned to be understood by all employees.

It should be noted that Endesa has entered directly into the shareholding of Trillo NPP. The operation of total divestment and complete exit of NUCLENOR from the ownership of NPP TRILLO I and CNAT AIE has resulted in ENDESA GENERACIÓN acquiring its share of ownership in NPP TRILLO I (1%) and participation (0.34%) in CNAT AIE in proportion to its respective status as a 50% shareholder of NUCLENOR. The other shareholder, IBERDROLA GENERACIÓN NUCLEAR, S.A.U. with 50% of NUCLENOR also acquires the same share of ownership in NPP TRILLO I (1%) and a stake (0.34%) in CNAT AIE. The transaction was formalised in the second half of 2020.

The participation of the companies owning the Almaraz and Trillo Nuclear Power Plants in the installed power of both plants is as follows: