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| Fig. 1: Atucha I and II Reactors (Source: Wikimedia Commons) |
Argentina currently supplies 7.5% of its electric power from nuclear energy, a total of 10 TWh (Terawatt-Hours) per year. [1] Argentina is currently the second-largest nuclear power producer in Latin America, after Brazil. It is followed by Mexico. Argentina's net nuclear power capacity as of 2021 is 1641 MW (Mega Watts). [1]
The country began its nuclear program in 1968, with the construction of Atucha I, Latin America's first nuclear reactor. The reactor became operational in 1974, and had a net capacity of 340 MWe (Mega Watts). [1,2] Next, Embalse, the second power reactor, began operation in 1984 and added another 608 MW. While both reactors were built expeditiously, the third reactor, Atucha II began construction in 1982, and only began operation in 2014 after numerous delays due to a lack of funds (see Fig 1.). [1] As a result, since the 1990s, the share of nuclear energy in Argentina's power production decreased from 19.8% to 4.8% in 2015. Atucha II added another 693 MW in net capacity, after Nestor Kirchner restarted the country's nuclear program in 2003, after natural gas shortages. [2] Argentina underwent a sovereign debt crisis in the early 2000s accompanied with a recession, severely reducing its ability to attract capital. [3]
In 2015, Argentina entered an agreement for China to finance the construction of 2 nuclear reactors, the financing totaling $15 billion. [3] Both reactors were to be built by the state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation in a partnership with Argentina's state-owned Nucleoélectrica. [3] Another partnership came in 2018, where Russia signed a cooperation agreement with Argentina. [4] In 2022, the two corporations signed a contract for the development of Atucha III, which is to have a 1200 (gross) MW capacity. [5] Atucha III will feature a Hualong One reactor, which is a new Chinese Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR), the most common type of nuclear reactor worldwide. [5] The other reactor, a 700 MW Canadian-designed PWR reactor, was suspended under Mauricio Macri's government in 2018, due to the country's financial issues. [6] China's investment in Argentine Nuclear Energy has been part of its larger strategy in Latin America, where it has already invested in ports, railway, and other hydroelectric and energy projects. [3] The agreements with China are set to build 2000 MW of capacity to increase Argentina's share of nuclear energy from 7.5% (currently) to 14% by 2030. [2]
Argentina announced its desire to build a new prototype reactor in 2009, known as a Small Modular Reactor, which when announced was meant to be the first of its kind operational worldwide. [7] These reactors are no larger than 300 MW in capacity, and can be assembled in a factory and later transported. [8] Some of the benefits of SMRs include a greater ease for quality control and reduced construction time when built in factories. [8] The reactor, named CAREM 25, is still under construction after several delays, and is set to add 25 MW to Argentina's nuclear generation. [1] CAREM 25 is projected now to begin operation in 2022 or 2023, and is part of Argentina's strategy to export these small reactors. SMR reactors have low capital cost, and are designed to be transportable (since they are modular) and can function in remote areas. [8] Over 50 of these reactors are being designed worldwide, with many different prototypes being considered. [8] The CAREM 25 reactor contains over 70% of its components from Argentine companies. Future envisioned projects after the prototype include a 100 MW SMR in Formosa and larger exported versions. [7]
Nuclear Energy has been the subject of significant debate in recent years as it serves a key role worldwide for the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, and is expected to help back up the inconsistencies from fuel sources such as solar and wind. Argentina's national nuclear program has historically been significant, but due to the country's recessions and sovereign debt crises in recent years, the expansion of the program has been put into question. If Argentina can resolve its economic situation, it has promise in becoming a nuclear powerhouse in Latin America with its attraction of investment from China and Russia. If Argentina's bet on SMR technology is successful, Argentina can further diversify its economy and power grid for the future.
© Alexander Lerner. The author warrants that the work is the author's own and that Stanford University provided no input other than typesetting and referencing guidelines. The author grants permission to copy, distribute and display this work in unaltered form, with attribution to the author, for noncommercial purposes only. All other rights, including commercial rights, are reserved to the author.
[1] "Nuclear Power Reactors in the World," International Atomic Energy Agency, 2021.
[2] C. Newbery, "Argentina Nuclear Industry Sees Big Promise in its Small Reactors," Financial Times, 23 Sep 18.
[3] J. Anderlini, "China to Build Two Nuclear Plants in Argentina in $15bn Deal," Financial Times, 17 Nov 15.
[4] G. De Clercq, "Russia Signs Nuclear Deal with Argentina, Competing with China," Reuters, 3 Dec 18.
[5] "Suspenden la Construcción las Centrales Nucleares Financiadas por China Hasta un Mejor Momento Fiscal," Cronista, 14 Jun 18.
[6] "Argentina and China Sign Agreement to Build Fourth Nuclear Power Plant," Buenos Aires Times, 4 Feb 22.
[7] "Avanzan las Obras del Reactor Carem 25 en el Complejo Nuclear de Atucha," Télam, 18 Aug 19.
[8] K. Stacey, "Small Modular Reactors are Nuclear Energy's Future," Financial Times, 25 Jul 16.
