Refueling Outage at Spain's Asco Nuclear Power Station Extended

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Unit 1 at the 2,055-megawatt (MW) Asco Nuclear Power Plant, operated by ANAV, a corporate group formed by Endesa (MCE:ELE) (85%) (Madrid, Spain) and Iberdrola (MCE:IBE) (15%) (Madrid), came offline May 23 for a maintenance outage. During this outage, the nuclear fuel is being replaced, and necessary inspection and maintenance works are being performed. According to plant authorities, the outage will be completed by July 15. In October 2010, Asco's Unit 1 will come offline once again for annual maintenance.

Every 18 months, both generating units, which produce 1,027 MW each, are shut down for maintenance and refueling. The reactor is periodically refueled by replacing approximately 40% of the fuel elements. The Asco facility is located on the banks of the Ebre River in the Ribera d'Ebre region of Catalonia. The plant takes its name from the village of Ascó, located two kilometers south of the plant.

In addition to this, the 1,087-MW Vandellos-II pressurized water reactor came offline March 14 for major maintenance and refueling and is expected to resume operations by July 27. During the outage period, a new refrigerating system will be installed. Vandellos-II is also operated by ANAV.

Spain has eight nuclear reactors generating one fifth of the country's electricity. Spain's first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1968. Government commitment to the future of nuclear energy in Spain is uncertain. Currently no licenses are given to private investors for the construction of nuclear plants.

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