The joint-venture between Iberdrola and Endesa, which operates the 446 MW boiling water reactor, said that a retroactive tax on energy production and spent nuclear fuel would leave it with negative equity if the reactor were to continue operating into 2013.
Santa María de Garoña was first connected to the grid in March 1971, and was disconnected after over 40 years of operation on 16 December 2012.
The decision was made to permanently shutter the plant on 28 December 2012, after Nuclenor’s board of directors analysed the final draft of the new law. The reactor was scheduled to be shut down on 6 July 2013.
