Spain to close oldest nuclear plant

Nuclear power plant

flickr-Paul J Everett

Spain's oldest nuclear plant in Santa María de Garoña, known as the 'sister' to Japan's Fukushima plant, closes after 42 years in service. 

The plant's license initially expired in 2009 but was extended by four years. Its operator Nuclenor, owned by Spanish energy groups Iberdrola and Endesa, said "regulatory uncertainty" prevented it from seeking another extension to the license. 

"The decision of the electrical power groups to not seek an extension shows the economic failure of nuclear energy, despite government support," Greenpeace commented on the issue. 

Spain has six nuclear plants with a total of eight reactors.