Spain nuclear plant says to appeal 2013 closure

MADRID, July 7 (Reuters) - The operators of Spain's oldest nuclear plant said on Tuesday they will appeal a government decision to allow it to run for another four years rather than the 10 they had originally requested.

The government ruled last week the 466 megawatt Garona plant could not have its operating permit renewed for 10 years because the 40-year lifespan it was designed for will expire in 2011.

It had mulled closing the plant in 2011, but decided more time was needed to provide alternative employment for its workers.

"The board has decided unanimously to file an appeal against the ruling with the appropriate courts as it considers the above-mentioned order to be against the law," a statement from Garona's operators said.

Last month, Spain's nuclear regulator issued a nonbinding opinion that Garona was safe to continue working until 2019.

The plant in northern Spain is jointly owned by the country's two leading utilities, Iberdrola (IBE.MC) and Endesa (ELE.MC).

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's Socialist government pledged in elections last year to gradually phase out nuclear power in favour of booming renewable energy sources.

Spain has eight nuclear plants left out of 10 it originally built, which generate some 20 percent of the country's electricity. No plans exist to build new nuclear plants.

In a bid to cut greenhouse gas emissions and its hefty dependence on energy imports, Spain has become the world's third-largest generator of wind power, and the second of solar. Renewables provide about 30 percent of Spain's electricity. (Reporting by Martin Roberts; editing by Jim Marshall)