Nuclear energy in Argentina

Embalse

Atucha I 
Atucha II

Nuclear power stations in Argentina (view)
 Active plants

In Argentina, about 10% ^[1] of the electricity comes from 3 operational nuclear reactors: The Embalse Nuclear Power Station, a CANDU reactor, and the Atucha 1 plant in 1974, a PHWR German design. In 2001, the plant was modified to burn Slightly Enriched Uranium, making it the first PHWR reactor to burn that fuel worldwide. Atucha originally was planned to be a complex with various reactors. Atucha 2 (similar to Atucha1 but more powerful) began to produce energy on June 3, 2014, is expected to produce 745MWh. Plans for Atucha III, a third reactor in the Atucha complex, have been announced.^[2]

Argentina also has some other research reactors, and exports nuclear technology. Nucleoeléctrica of Argentina and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited are negotiating over the contracts and project delivery model for a new 740 MWe CANDU  nuclear power plant.^[3]

In July 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a nuclear energy cooperation agreement with Argentine President Cristina Fernández Kirchner, during a visit to the country.^[4]

In February 2015, Argentine president Cristina Kirchner and Chinese president Xi Jinping signed a cooperation agreement, and the build of a Hualong One design power station has been proposed.^[5][6]

In December 2015 a new uranium enrichment plant to manufacture fuel for Argentina's nuclear plants, located in Pilcaniyeu, was inaugurated. The plant will use both gaseous diffusion and more modern laser techniques.^[7]

China and Argentina have agreed a contract to build a 700 MWe CANDU 6 derived reactor. Construction is planned to start in 2018 at Atucha.^[8][9] In addition, the building of a 1000 MWe Hualong One plant is planned to start in 2020.^[9]

Legislation

Provinces that ban build nuclear power plants:^[10]

Chaco

• Provincial Law, Nº 3902
  • Article 1: Declare the territory of the Chaco Province nuclear-free zone.

Corrientes

• Provincial Law, Nº 4207
  • Article 1: Prohibits throughout the territory of the Corrientes Province, installing nuclear plants.

Entre Ríos

• Provincial Law, Nº 8785
  • Article 3: It is forbidden the installation of nuclear power plants

La Pampa

• Provincial Constitution
  • Article 18: La Pampa is declared a nuclear-free zone, to the extent determined by a special law in order to preserve the environment. Any damage it causes to the environment will generate liability under the applicable legal regulations or as may be provided.^[11]

San Luis

• Provincial Law, Nº 5567
  • Article 1: Declare the territory of the San Luis Province nuclear-free zone.

Santa Fe

• Provincial Law, Nº 10753
  • Article 1: It is forbidden in the Santa Fe Province, the installation of plants and/or temporary or permanent nuclear deposits.
  • Article 3: Declare the Santa Fe Province nuclear-free zone.

Tierra del Fuego

• Provincial Constitution
  • Article 56: It is forbidden in the Province. 1 - Conducting tests or nuclear tests of any kind for military purposes. 2 - Generation of energy from nuclear sources. 3 - Introduction and disposal of nuclear, chemical, biological waste or any other type or nature proven to be toxic, hazardous or potentially in the future.^[12]

Tucumán

• Provincial Law, Nº 5253
  • Article 47: It is forbidden in the province: b) Generate energy from nuclear sources.

See also

• National Atomic Energy Commission
• 2006 Argentine nuclear reactivation plan
• Argentina and weapons of mass destruction

References