The pride of Catalonia
Vandellos Nuclear Power Plant lies on the Mediterranean Sea in the middle of the popular tourist region of Spanish Catalonia. Only working reactor it is clearly visible from the beach, it even became a popular photo motif. The construction of the first reactor began here in 1967, it was launched in 1972, and finally closed in 1989. The second unit began to be built in 1981, started in 1988 and is still operating today.
Additional profits from the nuclear power plant
As local entrepreneurs argue, the proximity of a nuclear power plant has no impact on tourismand for them it also translates into additional income. “The benefits are very great, people who come to working in a power plant have high earningsso they can afford a lot. For me as a restaurant owner, this is a big profit,” says Jordi Munoz, president of ARH – the local association of restaurateurs and hoteliers.
The owner of one of the hotels, Jordi Genoves, adds that both tourists and specialists who come to perform various service works stay there. “There has never been any problem, and it is additional profit for the hotel,” Genoves tells PAP.
Only advantages from the power plant
Both entrepreneurs estimate that the presence of the power plant does not have any negative impact on tourism. “I don’t think we would have more tourists if there were no power plant,” says Munoz. “Tourists are interested in nice beaches, restaurants and other attractions, and the fact that there is a power plant next to it probably does not affect it. It would be a different matter if someone wanted to come here live permanentlyperhaps the presence of the power plant would somehow influence the decision. But when it comes to spending the holidays – I don’t see any difference here,’ adds Genoves.
Customers outside the tourist season
“There are one or two moments during the year when the power plant comes on service work a lot of people come from all over Spain. This usually happens outside the tourist season. So for us it is an additional benefit, more customers and money,” emphasizes the hotel owner. “Open restaurants and hotels,” he advises residents of the area where the Polish power plant is planned.
Nuclear power plant with closure date
Next Spanish ruledepending on the political option, decided not to extend the operation of Spanish nuclear power plants or lifted these restrictions. The last decision of this type from the end of 2023 calls for closing all of them by 2035.
Both interlocutors also estimate that closing the power plant would have a negative impact on their businesses. “I am definitely against plans to close the power plant, I don’t understand it. Such a decision would have a negative impact on both local businesses and residents,” Munoz emphasizes. “If all are observed safety standardswe want this power plant to operate as long as possible,” adds Genoves.
Benefits for the local community
The mayor of Vandellos and L’Hospitalet de l’Infant, Assumpcio Castellvi, recalls that after the announcement of construction plans in the 1960s, there were protests and organizations opposing nuclear energy. However, within a year and a half of the plant’s launch, the attitude of local residents changed dramatically. “When people got involved in this project. When people are involved, they see the benefits. The first benefit is jobs, well paid. Many jobs are being created around. And it was the issue of employment that undoubtedly convinced the local community,” says Assumpcio Castellvi.
The second benefit, according to the mayor, is: development of various services available to residents. “The power plant pays high taxes to the city budgetand everyone benefits from it and the community appreciates it,” he tells PAP. As he emphasizes, before the power plant was built, it was a very poor region, where many residents left for work.
“The area was agricultural, but it was low-profit agriculture, the region is very dry and there is no water. The construction of the power plant changed this situation, people even come here. There used to be a small fishing port here, now we stand over a large marina with dozens of yachts. The power plant is a flywheel local economy,” says Castellvi.
Local officials are in favor of maintaining the plant
“We still have a small group of opponents of nuclear energy. There used to be much more of them. The rest are in favor, and if there was an idea to build another power plant in the area, we would be in favor of it. Closure is planned for 2035, but we hope that the license will be extended “- adds the mayor.
Nuclear power plant from the Polish perspective
Local government officials and residents from the Choczew regionwhere preparations are already underway construction of the first Polish nuclear power plantafter meetings with representatives of local communities, Vandellos and L’Hospitalet de l’Infant, however, reported against the PEJ company – the investor and future operator of the power plant other types of concerns and reservations.
First of all they complained about no informationabout what is happening at the construction site, even though residents expect such information. They expressed concerns, among others: about safety due to the presence of thousands of workers on the construction siteor o capacity of the local health service. The workers will not burden the local clinic, there will be health services on the construction site – PEJ representatives assured in response, also announcing improved communication with residents.
Local government officials asked, among others, about: waste that will be generated during constructionbecause the local landfill will not be able to accept all of them, and in addition sorting technology is outdated. PEJ emphasized that the investor will be obliged to manage all waste.
Infrastructure projects
Local government officials also pointed out that unless infrastructure projects accompanying the power plant are moving forward, the needs of local governments are not being met quickly enough, for example they are still waiting for decisions to increase the pool of money for local authorities. They also expected an answer when construction would start in full swing. The investor’s representatives assured that all issues such as social and recreational facilities in the employees’ accommodation and health centers for them were provided for in the plans and local governments would not incur costs in this respect.
Project to build a power plant in Pomerania predicts bringing the railway line closer to it and provincial road. The costs of their construction are to be borne by the state.
PEJ is an investor and future operator of a power plant in Pomerania. The company already has an environmental decision for the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant with a capacity of up to 3,750 MWe in the Lubiatowo-Kopalino location, and a basic decision issued by the Minister of Climate. PEJ also signed a contract with the consortium Westinghouse-Bechtel contract for the design of a power plant. In turn, the government sent an application to the European Commission for notification of state aid through recapitalization of the company and in the form of a contract for difference.
The power plant is to be built in AP1000 Westinghouse technology and consist of three blocks. According to the latest declarations from the government, the first nuclear concrete for the first unit is to be poured in 2028, and its construction will be completed in 2035 (PAP)
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