1. Directive 2009/71/Euratom, as amended by Directive 2014/87/Euratom, which has to be transposed by 15 August 2017, sets out a nuclear safety objective for nuclear installations. It refers to operating conditions which should be achieved, as well as to the prevention and to mitigation of the consequences of an accident. Member States shall use that objective as a reference for the implementation of improvements to existing installations such as the one in Almaraz. The Commission services carefully follow the implementation of the relevant EU regulatory framework. However, it is the licence holder who retains primary responsibility for the safe operation of nuclear plants, under the control of the national regulator. According to the information provided to the Commission, the Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear (CSN) carried out an assessment and reached the conclusion that the Almaraz power plant is operated safely.

2. The CSN has regularly informed the Commission services of the situation in Almaraz. In particular, the CSN has indicated that Portuguese authorities had been kept informed in accordance with the Agreement on nuclear safety and radiation protection existing between the nuclear authorities of both countries. Moreover, Spain reported specifically on the Almaraz power plant in the context of the European stress tests of nuclear power plants performed after the Fukushima accident. The report has been published on the Ensreg(1) website(2).

3. Nuclear safety and the protection of citizens and environment is an absolute priority for the Commission. In the case where there would be conclusive evidence of non-compliance with the requirements of the Nuclear Safety Directive, the Commission will take appropriate steps.

(1) European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group, an independent, authoritative expert body reporting to the European Commission.
(2) http://www.ensreg.eu/EU-Stress-Tests/Country-Specific-Reports/EU-Member-States/Spain