Madrid , Spain ( CNN ) -- Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero Wednesday ordered a review of his country 's nuclear power plants in light of the crisis unfolding in Japan , where workers are battling to contain radioactive materials at a plant after an massive earthquake and tsunami . Spain is the latest in a number of countries around the world who are giving their nuclear programs a second look as Japan tirelessly works to avoid a nuclear disaster . According to nation 's nuclear regulatory body , the Nuclear Safety Council , Spain has eight nuclear reactors in operation at six nuclear power plants . `` We should do this , but there are reasons to remain calm about the safety of our nuclear plants and about the reports the Nuclear Safety Council is preparing , '' Zapatero told reporters of his decision for a review . He added , `` What we are going to do is be even more sure and safer . And if there is a needed improvement at some nuclear plant due to a hypothetical risk , that 's the work of the Nuclear Safety Council . '' Separately , Zapatero said that Spain is not ordering an evacuation of its nationals in Japan because there 's been no such request from the Japanese government . Instead , Spain will follow Japan 's lead and will try to assist those Spaniards who wish to leave . There are no Spaniards in the affected zone near the nuclear power plant or in other high-risk areas , the prime minister 's office reported . There are about 1,900 Spaniards in Japan , more than half of them in the Tokyo area . In Venezuela , President Hugo Chavez said that preliminary plans for a nuclear power plant in his country will be halted . He ordered his energy ministry to look for alternative sources of energy . Tuesday , German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced a three-month moratorium on the extension of the operation periods for German nuclear plants . That move will lead to at least one German nuclear plant shutting down very soon , Germany 's environmental minister later said in a statement .
The decision was made in light of the crisis in Japan . Spain 's environment minister says the review will make the environment even safer . China announced it 's halting plans for a nuclear test .