"It does not figure in the government's plans to develop or expand nuclear energy," Zapatero told an economic forum in Madrid.

"We will keep faith with our election manifesto," added Zapatero, referring to his promise before coming to power in April 2004 to abandon progressively the Spanish nuclear programme, which currently accounts for 23 percent of national electricity production.

But he added that the Socialist energy manifesto for the 2008 general election had not yet been drawn up.

Zapatero also unveiled new targets for Spanish economic growth this year, saying expansion of gross domestic product would measure at least 3.5 percent instead of a previous target of 3.4 percent.

"2006 was an excellent year and 2007 will be as well," he said.

The Spanish government has forecast growth of 3.8 percent in 2006.

Zapatero also stressed the record of job creation under his government, saying more than three million jobs had been created.

On energy, he said: "We must rely much more on renewable and alternative energy sources and have a common European policy on energy matters."

And he said that there was no "ethical" solution to the disposal of nuclear waste.

"In 2007, the government is going to press ahead with strongly defending the environment," he promised.

The future of nuclear energy in Spain is the subject of widespread debate among politicians, ecologists and business.

The industry ministry has unveiled an initiative to organise monthly working meetings on the issue drawn from across society.

Spain currently has eight functioning nuclear plants, relatively few compared with other countries such as France, Britain or even Germany.

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