The main goal of the outlined energy policy is to diversify the power generation mix with greater participation from non-conventional renewable, hydro and nuclear energy sources. Following these aims, in August 2006, the reactivation of the nuclear programme was officially announced. In 2009 Law No. 26.566 declared the nuclear programme to be a national interest and pushed for the completion of the construction of CNA-II, the construction of a fourth NPP, as well as the execution of the CNE life extension project. It is anticipated that all above mentioned activities will fall under the scope of NPP operator Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A. (NA-SA by its initials in Spanish). Meanwhile, the CAREM SMR project is under the responsibility of the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA).

In relation to renewable energy, Law No. 27191 and its regulatory decree introduced the creation of a National Promotion Regime for the Use of Renewable Energy Sources for the Production of Electric Energy in 2015. Thus, goals were established to incorporate renewable sources into the national energy matrix for electricity supply such that the sources will be the following percentages of the total matrix: 8%, 12%, 16%, 18% and 20% for the years 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025, respectively. Regarding biofuels, Decree No. 543/2016 increases the mandatory percentage of bioethanol for automotive use from 10% to 12%, to be marketed throughout the national territory under Laws No. 26.093 and 26.334.

The National Energy Balance shows that in 2020, 85.4% of total primary energy in Argentina was produced from fossil fuels, with natural gas accounting for 54.7%, oil accounting for 29.5% and coal accounting for 1.2%. The remaining energy production consisted of hydropower (3.7%), nuclear energy (3.9%) and renewable resources such as wood (1.4%), bagasse (1.4%), vegetable oils to produce biodiesel (1.5%), vegetable alcohols to produce bioethanol (0.6%), wind energy (1.3%), solar energy (0.2%) and other primary resources (0.6%). The higher concentration of hydrocarbons in Argentina’s primary energy sources is a structural characteristic of the country’s energy matrix.

The National Report on Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), published by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development in 2019, states that by 2019 the energy sector accounted for 53% of national GHG emissions. On the other hand, the analysis of the National Energy Balance for the period 1970–2019 shows significant changes associated with the progressive replacement of oil by natural gas, stressing that natural gas assumed all increases while the oil remained almost constant over time, with the associated benefit of lower emission factors for natural gas than for oil. Nevertheless, throughout the period the share of fossil fuels in the entire primary energy mix remained between a minimum of 85.8% (1986) and a maximum of 93.5% (1972), showing a slight but insufficient reduction. In order to improve this situation, several laws have been issued with the aim of decreasing the use of fossil fuels and encouraging a ‘rational use’ of energy by suggesting a series of objectives and mechanisms of promotion and recognizing the importance of the participation of every energy source in the integration of the national energy mix. As a result, the progressive incorporation over the last few years of modern renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, vegetable oils and alcohols, have contributed a maximum of 12.0% (2021) of the primary energy mix, covering at least part of the growth in energy demand.

Sources:

Energy Secretariat , National Energy Balance of the Argentine Republic, 2020, https://www.argentina.gob.ar/produccion/energia/hidrocarburos/balances-energeticos

Law No. 26.566 on Nuclear Activity, http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/160000-164999/162106/norma.htm

Law No. 27191 on National Promotion Regime for the Use of Renewable Energy Sources Destined for the Production of Electric Energy, http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/250000-254999/253626/norma.htm

Regulatory Decree No. 531/2016, http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/255000-259999/259883/norma.htm

Law No. 26093 on Regulatory and Promotion Regime for the Sustainable Production and Use of Biofuels, http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/115000-119999/11629 9/norma.htm

Law No. 26334 on Bioethanol production promotion scheme, http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/135000-139999/136339/norma.htm

Decree No. 543/2016 of increase in Biofuels, http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/255000-259999/259942/norma.htm

Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, National Report on Greenhouse Gases, 2019, https://inventariogei.ambiente.gob.ar/files/inventario-nacional-gei-argentina.pdf

TABLE 1. ESTIMATED AVAILABLE ENERGY SOURCES

* Solid, liquid: million tonnes; gas: billion m³; uranium: metric tonnes; hydro, renewable: TW.

Notes:

For the coal reserves, the measured reserves reported in the Upper and Lower Carboniferous Complex Total Reserves Report (Secretariat of Energy, 2015) were taken into account.

In the case of oil and gas, the proven reserves of the country until 31 December 2019 were taken into account.

In the case of uranium, tonnes of uranium (tU) as identified resources: reasonably assured resources (RAR) and inferred resources (IR) for the production cost category <130 US $/kgU. Data from 2020, Uranium, Resources, Production and Demand, Red Book, NEA-IAEA.

** In the case of hydropower, the technically exploitable gross theoretical potential is 105 358 GWh/year, considering an average load factor of 0.53. Latest data were available in 2012.

*** Regarding other renewables, the potential results from incorporation of intermittent renewable energies (mainly wind and solar) planned for 2030, with load factors of 0.45 and 0.24, respectively.

Sources:

Secretariat of Energy, National Energy Balance of the Argentine Republic. Government Oil and Gas Reserves Report. https://datos.gob.ar/dataset/energia-reservas-petroleo-gas

National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), Department of Reservoir and Evaluation, Raw Materials Exploration Management.

National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), Planning, Coordination and Control Management – Strategic Planning Undermanagement - Nuclear Prospective and Energy Planning Division.

NEA-IAEA, Uranium 2020: Resources, Production and Demand,

https://www.oecd-nea.org/upload/docs/application/pdf/2020-12/7555_uranium_-_resources_production_and_demand_2020__web.pdf

POTENTIAL AND HYDROELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT IN ARGENTINA, Guillermo V. Malinow, http://web.iae.org.ar/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013-potencial-y-desarrollo-hidroelectrico-agentino_G.Malinow_Rev-0.pdf

TABLE 2. ENERGY CONSUMPTION

*Latest available data, please note that compound annual growth rate may not be representative of actual average growth.

**Total energy derived from primary and secondary generation sources. Figures do not reflect potential heat output that may result from electricity co-generation.

—: data not available.

Source(s): United Nations Statistical Division, OECD/IEA and IAEA RDS-1

The strategy of Argentina aims to (i) decrease fossil imports; (ii) improve grid connections locally as well as with neighbouring countries; and (iii) increase electricity generation by 2025 by adding enough renewable energy to cover 20% of the national electricity consumption, as defined in Law No. 27191 and its Regulatory Decree No. 531/2016. According to the official scenarios, the target is around 10 GW of a new capacity, which includes mainly wind energy, solar or photovoltaic energy, small hydropower and biofuels. As part of the solution to improve the security of the energy supply, decarbonization and access to energy, the share of nuclear energy in the electricity mix is expected to be 10% by 2050. For this reason, Argentina has approached potential international vendors and is currently negotiating the construction of a fourth nuclear power plant.

Historically, oil and gas sources have prevailed in the energy mix of Argentina. The country currently imports natural gas, oil and its derivatives to cover the gap between production and demand, with consequences for the cost of electricity, the security of the energy supply and overall GHG emissions. However, it is the intention of the country to advance exploration and exploitation of unconventional deposits, to reduce imports of these hydrocarbons and eventually to become an exporter. The replacement of a large part of oil consumption by natural gas constituted a measure to reduce energy system emissions in recent decades.

Sources:

Law No. 26.566 on Nuclear Activity, http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/160000-164999/162106/norma.htm

Law No. 27191 on National Promotion Regime for the Use of Renewable Energy Sources Destined for the Production of Electric Energy, http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/250000-254999/253626/norma.htm

Regulatory Decree No. 531/2016, http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/255000-259999/259883/norma.htm

Energy Scenarios 2030 – National Direction of Energy Scenarios and Planning – Undersecretary of Energy Planning, http://www.energia.gob.ar/contenidos/archivos/Reorganizacion/planeamiento/2019-11-14_SsPE-SGE_Documento_Escenarios_Energeticos_2030_ed2019_pub.pdf

National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), Planning, Coordination and Control Management – Strategic Planning Undermanagement – Nuclear Prospective and Energy Planning Division.

Generation, transmission and distribution

Laws No. 15.336 and No. 24.065, together with their respective regulatory decrees, establish the legal framework that defines the dynamics of generation, transportation and distribution in the electricity system, including the categorization of operators in the electricity sector. Under this framework, the transport and distribution of electricity are defined as a public service, while generation is considered a general interest. The Secretariat of Energy and the National Electricity Regulatory Entity have the authority to establish specific regulations.

In 2021, the electricity generation system in Argentina had a total installed capacity of 42 997 MW. This capacity is generated by the following sources: 59.1% thermal power, 26.4% hydropower, 10.4% other renewable resources (wind power, solar power, small hydropower and others) and 4.1% nuclear power.

Regarding electricity distribution, Argentina has a 14 759 km network of high voltage, with a frequency of 50 Hz. Argentina also has interconnections with neighbouring countries: a 2 000 MW capacity line at 500 kV voltage with Uruguay; a 2 200 MW converter station with Brazil (in addition to the Paso de los Libres-Uruguayana 50 MW/132 kV connection); a 1 550 MW capacity when the energy flows to Paraguay and 750 MW when it flows to Argentina; and a 200 MW line with Chile (with oscillation limits). Regarding other exchanges, in 2021 total imports represented about 0.6% of total national generation, while exports were 2.7%.

With the population density grouped mainly in large cities, the electricity demand of Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos and Santa Fe provinces represented 62.2% of the national demand and 51.7% of the national electricity supply in 2021.

The recognized stakeholders in the electricity market are a) generators or producers; b) carriers; c) distributors; and d) large users.

Main organizations

The Electricity National Regulator Entity was created as an independent agency within the Secretariat of Energy. Its objective is to enforce regulations and defend the interests of users. With the creation of the regulator entity, these objectives have been maintained and the agency’s activities and the organizational structure have been consolidated.

The Wholesale Electricity Market Administrator Company (CAMMESA) is a public–private company created to manage the operation of the wholesale electricity market and the scheduled electricity dispatch. Wholesale electricity market agents own 80% of CAMMESA’s share package, integrated in equal parts by four agents: generators, the transport system, electricity distributors and large users. The remaining 20% is held by the Energy Secretariat that represents the general interest of the users.

Sources:

Laws and Amendings Law No. 24065, https://www.argentina.gob.ar/normativa/nacional/ley-24065-464/normas-modifican

National Regulatory Body for Electricity (ENRE)

Wholesale Electricity Market Administrator Company (CAMMESA), Annual Report, 2020

National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), Synthesis of the Wholesale Electricity Market, December 2021, https://www.cnea.gob.ar/nuclea/handle/10665/1012

As mentioned in Section 1.2.2, Argentina’s energy generation system in 2020 encompasses four main energy sources: fossil fuels, hydropower, nuclear power and wind energy. Other renewable energy, such as solar energy, biogas and biomass, historically have contributed minimally to Argentina’s energy generation system, but their contributions have begun to increase according to Law No. 27191 and its Regulatory Decree No. 531/2016. Argentina is also expecting a significant increase in their contributions in the coming years. Table 3 and Table 4 present the main characteristics of the electricity sector.

TABLE 3. ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION

*Latest available data, please note that compound annual growth rate may not be representative of actual average growth.

**Electricity transmission losses are not deducted.

—: data not available.

Source: United Nations Statistical Division, OECD/IEA and IAEA RDS-1

According to the merit order, run-of-the-river hydropower, wind and solar technologies and nuclear power plants are dispatched according to base load. Combined cycle units and steam turbines are dispatched according to marginal costs. Peak demand is covered by dam hydro and gas turbines.

TABLE 4. ENERGY RELATED RATIOS

*Latest available data.

Source: RDS-1 and RDS-2

—: data not available.

On 31 May 1950, by Decree No. 10936, the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) was created. Since then, CNEA is the main public organization devoted to research and development (R&D) in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and is also responsible for promoting highly specialized training of human resources in the field of nuclear science.

Since its creation, CNEA has made steady progress in terms of technological autonomy related to nuclear reactors. In 1964, it began studies for the construction of Atucha I (CNA-I). Construction began in 1968 and CNA-I started commercial operation in 1974. The first unit had a national share involvement of 36.7% of its total cost, including 13% of the electromechanical components.

CNE construction began in 1974. It reached criticality in 1983 and it was connected to the grid in 1984. CNE’s life extension project began with the feasibility study and aging studies on 31 December 2007, and in 2015 CNE completed its first operational cycle. After completion of the project, the plant successfully achieved criticality on 4 January 2019, starting the second operational cycle and supply of electricity to the national grid on 7 February 2019.

In late 1979, the construction of a third nuclear power plant of 745 MW(e) with natural uranium and heavy water was under consideration with a design similar to and at the same location as CNA-I. The construction of Atucha II (CNA-II) began in 1981 with a scheduled operational date of July 1987. Construction was delayed due to budgetary constraints and in 1994, with 80% of construction completed, the project was officially halted. Construction was resumed with the relaunch of the Argentine Nuclear Plan in 2006. CNA-II went critical on 3 June 2014 and began to supply full power to the national grid in February 2015.

Moreover, in the early 1980s, CNEA had already developed the conceptual design of a low power NPP, based on a light water reactor with passive and redundant safety systems, known as Central Argentina de Elementos Modulares (CAREM). In 2007, activities were resumed under the guidance of CNEA. The R&D organization embraced the project and the appropriate support and institutional structure were developed to house the project.

All activities in the Argentine nuclear sector from its creation until 1994 were managed by CNEA. In that year Decree No. 1540/94 led to the enactment of Law No. 24804, which divided CNEA into three entities with clear and different objectives. The Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN) was created as an autonomous entity and Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A. (NA-SA) took responsibility for nuclear generation as the utility of the NPPs. CNEA centralized all other nuclear activities.

Thereafter, CNEA positioned itself as the main adviser to the executive branch regarding national nuclear policy, and became the main entity responsible for the training of highly specialized human resources in the nuclear field and for R&D in nuclear science and technology, including the promotion of technological innovation projects in areas such as agriculture, industry and medicine.

In addition, CNEA developed multiple companies to advance capabilities across the natural uranium nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining and processing, fabrication of fuel elements for its NPPs and its research reactors, and production of heavy water. However, owing to political decisions stemming from economic analysis that accounted for a fall of international uranium prices, the country began to substitute the local uranium supply for imported uranium. Nevertheless, uranium prospecting activities were never abandoned, while remediation activities began at old sites where the mineral was extracted and/or processed.

Law No. 26.566, sanctioned on 25 November 2009, established the main projects of the national nuclear power programme to include:

1. Extension of the operating licence and the necessary tasks for CNE’s life extension;

2. Beginning of studies for the definition of the CNA-I future life extension project;

3. Conclusion of construction, commissioning and operation of CNA-II;

4. Launch of feasibility studies for the construction of a fourth NPP, under the responsibility of NA-SA;

5. Design, execution and commissioning of a CAREM 25 SMR under the responsibility of CNEA (currently under construction).

Sources:

Law No. 26.566 on Nuclear Activity, http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/160000-164999/162106/norma.htm

National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA)

Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A. (NA-SA)

Energy Scenarios 2030 – National Direction of Energy Scenarios and Planning – Undersecretary of Energy Planning,

http://www.energia.gob.ar/contenidos/archivos/Reorganizacion/planeamiento/2019-11-14_SsPE-SGE_Documento_Escenarios_Energeticos_2030_ed2019_pub.pdf

National Atomic Energy Commission, CAREM Area Management, https://www.argentina.gob.ar/cnea/carem

2.1.2. Current organizational structure

According to Law No. 24804, known as the National Nuclear Activity Law, sanctioned by the National Congress in 1997 (in force since 1998), and Decree No. 1540/94, the nuclear sector was organized into three main branches: (1) the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) as the agency in charge of research and development; (2) the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN) as the regulator; and (3) Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A. (NA-SA) as the utility.

FIG. 1. Organizational structure of the nuclear sector in Argentina.

There are several nuclear companies and other institutions associated with CNEA (the commercial entities are dedicated to industrial supply to the nuclear sector and fuel cycle):

1. NA-SA (Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A.): This state-owned company is in charge of the operation and construction of NPPs.

2. INVAP S.E.: Its main activity is the design and manufacture of complex technological systems for nuclear, aerospace, government and defence, industrial and medical equipment.

3. CONUAR S.A. (Combustibles Nucleares Argentinos S.A.): Its objective is the production of nuclear fuel for research reactors and NPPs, and to supply nuclear components and equipment. Additionally, it is devoted to special alloys, zircaloy tubes and special components manufacturing.

4. ENSI S.E. (Empresa Neuquina de Servicios de Ingeniería S.E.): This company produces heavy water for research reactors and NPPs.

5. DIOXITEK S.A.: A company devoted to the production of uranium dioxide for the supply and fabrication process of fuel assemblies for CNA-I, CNA-II and CNE NPPs. It also manufactures sealed Co-60 sources.

Sources:

Secretariat of Energy, organization chart, http://www.energia.gob.ar/contenidos/archivos/Reorganizacion/organigrama_web_se.pdf

Ministry of Treasury, organization chart, https://mapadelestado.jefatura.gob.ar/organigramas/005.pdf

TABLE 5. STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Source: Power Reactor Information System(PRIS)

In 2021, the net generation of nuclear power achieved by NA-SA was 11 042.0 GWh, representing about 7.9 % of Argentina’s total electricity generation. The mentioned value also turned out to be the historical record for annual nuclear generation. Of the total nuclear share, 2 482.4 GWh were produced by CNA-I, 4 677.7 GWh were produced by CNE and the remaining 3 881.9 GWh were produced by CNA-II.

CNA-I: Throughout its lifetime, improvements in the facility design have been implemented, such as replacement of all fuel assemblies in fuel channels, construction of a second ultimate heat sink, construction of a second temporary spent fuel pool, and the modification of the third circuit. Also, in 1996, the change of the original fuel design from natural uranium to slightly enriched uranium resulted in a 40% fuel consumption reduction and around a 30% cost reduction. This reduced the use of storage space in the spent fuel pool. Subsequently, the plant was uprated with 5 MW(e) during 2013, due to the redesign of the generator’s high pressure stage blades. In 2003, a second heat sink, a system that enabled the management of small loss of coolant accidents, was put in place.

The spent fuel elements dry storage reservoir, which is necessary when completing the cooling stage in pools, is currently under construction. Moreover, owing to the lessons learned from the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi NPP, safety measures have been implemented, for example, the installation of hydrogen recombiners to manage a severe accident. A new emergency electric system is in place and a pump has been installed in the guaranteed secondary circuit.

On 12 April 2018, the ARN issued the Amendment to the CNA-I Nuclear Power Plant Operation Licence that authorizes the long-term operation of the plant. During this stage, progress will be made in the preparation of the life extension project, which would make the operation of the plant viable in the longer term. The new authorization allows the plant to operate for five years in full power generation. The start of the life extension programme is planned for October 2024.

Life management activities were developed under the framework of the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme. Since 2008 Nucleoeléctrica has been executing the Atucha I Life Extension Project, the completion of which will allow it to extend its operation for an additional 24 years at full power. In October 2024 it is expected that Atucha I will enter in its life extension outage in order to complete the last phase of Project.

CNA-II: This NPP has updated safety systems and concepts. On 29 May 2014, ARN granted the start-up licence and on 21 May 2016 the commercial operating licence was also granted by ARN. Since this date, CNA-II has been operating commercially and plant life management activities are performed on a regular basis.

Regarding spent fuel, the dry spent fuel storage facility (ASECQ, using its initials in Spanish) for CNA-I and CNA-II is currently under construction in the Atucha complex.

CNE: On 31 December 2015, after 30 years of operation, the first operational cycle of the NPP concluded, with a net load factor of 79.04%. At this time, it was decided to begin the last stage of the life extension project, with the objective of extending operation by between 25 and 30 years and to increase its electric power by approximately 8 MW(e). In this context, CNE developed a set of actions and completed a life and ageing assessment for different systems. The major working areas that were developed in the project included modification of pressure and calandria tubes, feeders, steam generators and repowering considerations. Finally, the life extension activities ended on 4 January 2019 and the second commercial operation licence was granted on 22 August 2019. The project was determined to be justified from both an economic and a financial point of view, with investment cost of less than 50% of a projected new NPP.

There are no reactors reaching near shutdown phase in Argentina.

In August 2006, the Federal Government supported the National Nuclear Programme reactivation, which focused on the production of nuclear energy and the development of nuclear applications for public health, industry and agriculture. To that end, as mentioned in Section 2.1.1., Law No. 26.566 was sanctioned.

Since its creation in 1950, CNEA has made constant progress towards technological autonomy in the field of nuclear reactors.

The first pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) nuclear power plant, Atucha I, with KWU-Siemens technology, began commercial operation in March 1974. After more than 45 years of normal operation, it is undergoing a life extension programme.

The second nuclear power plant, Embalse, was connected to the network using CANDU technology. In February 2019, it re-entered into the Argentine interconnection system (SADI) after a plant life extension (PLEX) process. Its second operating cycle began for a 30 year period, also with 90% national participation during the PLEX.

The third nuclear power plant, Atucha II, began operating at 100% capacity on 18 February 2015. Completed in 2014, CNA-II represented a great challenge for Argentine engineering and was the mainstay of reactivating national nuclear activity, reaching 88% national participation during the construction.

The CAREM SMR project is the first NPP fully designed and under construction by Argentina. As of December 2020, 59.8% of construction work has been completed. The main objectives of the project include the following: to demonstrate the SMR concept in a smaller scale than projected ones for commercial modules; to generate capabilities for the development of nuclear projects within CNEA, its associated companies and the Argentine private industry; to operate successfully commercial and nationally designed NPPs; and to repeat the success obtained with exported research reactors. As for the commercial CAREM, the strategy is more strongly focused on engineering developments.

Argentina has also undertaken feasibility studies to incorporate LWR evolutionary designs into its fleet in the short term.

On 1 February 2022, the utility Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A. (NA-SA) and the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) signed a commercial contract for the construction of Atucha III, Argentina's fourth nuclear power plant, to be installed in the Atucha Nuclear Complex. This contract provides for the provision of engineering, supplies, construction, start-up and delivery of the Atucha III plant under the turnkey model. It is estimated that construction will begin at the end of 2022.

In addition, the dry storage project for spent fuel elements from the Atucha I nuclear power plant (ASECQ I) and Atucha II nuclear power plant (ASECQ II) will continue. ASECQ I is expected to be operational in the first half of 2022, and ASECQ II is expected to be operational in 2027.

The use of slightly enriched uranium (ULE) as the fuel for the ATUCHA II NPP is also planned to continue.

The recovery and preservation of the heavy water plant will be carried out with the purpose of ensuring the local production of a backup for the NPPs in operation until the end of the NPPs’ lifetimes.

Sources:

National Atomic Energy Commission, https://www.argentina.gob.ar/cnea

• National Atomic Energy Commission, CAREM Area Management, https://www.argentina.gob.ar/cnea/carem

• Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A. (NA-SA), Action plan for Argentine nuclear power plant s. a., guidelines and priority objectives. (Plan de acción para Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S. A., lineamientos y objetivos prioritarios)

Table 6 summarizes the planned nuclear power plants, indicating their relevant characteristics and schedules:

TABLE 6. PLANNED NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

The Argentine nuclear energy programme is directly supported by the National Government. According to Law No. 24.804, the Argentine State is responsible for designing nuclear policies, carrying out R&D, as well as the regulation and control of nuclear activities through two independent public entities, CNEA and ARN. NA-SA is responsible for the operation of Argentine NPPs.

The Government, through the Ministry of Treasury, the Secretariat of Energy and NA-SA, are the agencies and institutions that are carrying out the procurement of the fourth NPP, linking with existing suppliers of the international market and with specialists on specific nuclear issues. CNEA also plays a special role in this process, particularly regarding the nuclear fuel cycle. The Government analyses financing issues with suppliers and considers a range of options to decide how to proceed with future nuclear projects.

In all discussions with suppliers, it is stressed that whenever negotiations are carried out, participation of local industry, transfer of technology and construction of fuel elements in the country remain relevant considerations.

For the near future, the following financing sources have been identified:

1. CAREM: The National Treasury provides the funds for the NPP. A trust administration agreement was signed between CNEA and the National Bank.

2. Future NPPs: Several funding options are being considered and they include the possibility of generating trusts (with national public financial institutions) and international financing schemes. At present, it is expected that the supplier of the fourth plant will contribute 85% of the necessary funds while the rest is expected to be of local origin. For this purpose, a financial engineering programme/scheme is being prepared to determine the origin of this local contribution.

3. Financing will be required for the plant life extension project of the Atucha I NPP (PLEX CNA I), which will be acquired with non-refundable capital transfers from the National Treasury and with NA-SA's own resources.

4. Financing will be also needed for the dry storage projects for spent fuel elements from the Atucha I NPP (ASECQ I) and from the Atucha II NPP (ASECQ II), which will be achieved with non-refundable capital transfers from the National Treasury and with NA-SA's own resources.

Argentina is looking forward to implementing new siting for its future NPPs. Some of the surveyed sites so far warrant the installation of a high voltage grid in order to connect future NPPs to the National Grid.

CAMMESA is the company responsible for the planning of future expansions of existing networks based on new projects for the short, medium and long term. For the CAREM 25 SMR project, it is not necessary to create new transport lines, but a new line is planned for the construction of a fourth NPP.

Sources:

National Atomic Energy Commission,

https://www.argentina.gob.ar/comision-nacional-de-energia-atomica

Wholesale Electricity Market Administrator Company (CAMMESA),

https://cammesaweb.cammesa.com/

Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A., http://www.na-sa.com.ar/

NA-SA acquired land on the border property where CNA-I and CNA-II plants are located with the purpose of installing future NPPs, close to the Paraná de Las Palmas river.

The CAREM 25 SMR project is under construction next to CNA-I and CNA-II, in the Atucha nuclear complex.

Meanwhile, the Secretariat of Energy, with the technical support of CNEA, NA-SA and INVAP S.E., is working on the necessary studies to identify alternative sites for future NPPs, taking into account technical aspects, social factors, local conditions and participation of interested actors.

In recent years, there has been a strong campaign led by the Federal Government and associated agencies to promote the benefits of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Taking into account the possibility of the construction of new NPPs in Argentina, as well as the country’s visibility as an international vendor of nuclear technology (e.g. research reactor exports), both public awareness and public opinion of nuclear energy and the associated companies have improved.

Open information and transparency are warranted by law as well as promoted and provided by the Federal Government, particularly regarding nuclear policies, associated projects and specific agency activities. The main nuclear organizations promote access to detailed information on their activities, facilities and ongoing projects as well as public visits to their facilities.

For more information regarding public awareness, see Section 2.10.

According to Law No. 24804, CNEA is the national institution devoted to R&D in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. CNEA fosters technologically innovative activities in the nuclear area and develops and transfers new technologies in associated fields. One of its main aims has been to provide robust technological support to the country’s nuclear system.

Argentina has engaged in a wide array of R&D activities in the fields of physical sciences, chemistry, radiobiology, metallurgy, science and technology of materials and engineering. In particular, CNEA’s capabilities in radioisotope production, applications and ionizing radiation underscore its vast experience in the field of nuclear applications and human health.

The following centres concentrate the main activities under CNEA:

1. Bariloche Atomic Centre (CAB, by its initials in Spanish), mainly devoted to research, development and training of human resources in the fields of physics and nuclear engineering.

2. Constituyentes Atomic Centre (CAC, by its initials in Spanish) performs activities within basic research and technological development, focusing on interdisciplinary activities such as micro and nanotechnology.

3. Ezeiza Atomic Centre (CAE, by its initials in Spanish), located in Ezeiza district, is mainly devoted to nuclear technology applications development.

4. Pilcaniyeu Technological Complex (CTP, by its initials in Spanish), located in the province of Río Negro, is devoted to uranium enrichment activities and other technological activities.

In total, Argentina operates five research reactors, one in each nuclear research centre and two at public national universities.

Sources:

National Atomic Energy Commission, Bariloche Atomic Centre, https://www.cab.cnea.gov.ar/

Constituyentes Atomic Centre, https://www.argentina.gob.ar/cnea/cac

Ezeiza Atomic Centre, https://www.argentina.gob.ar/cnea/cab

Pilcaniyeu Technological Complex, https://www.argentina.gob.ar/cnea/cab/complejo-tecnologico-pilcaniyeu

Balseiro Institute, Sábato Institute, https://www.argentina.gob.ar/cnea/formacion-academica/institutos-de-formacion#3

Dan Beninson Nuclear Technological Institute, https://www.argentina.gob.ar/cnea/formacion-academica/institutos-de-formacion#2

CNEA organizes research and technological activities of scientific development in different fields. These activities involve advanced projects related to nuclear activity and its applications.

Argentina has designed and is building the CAREM SMR. It is the first nuclear power reactor fully designed by Argentina (CNEA) seeking to promote local capacities in the development and commissioning of NPPs. Furthermore, with the CAREM project the Argentine nuclear sector is becoming influential in the SMR area. At the beginning of 2014, the structural construction of CAREM commenced. For further information, see Sections 2.1.1 and 2.3.1.

Argentina has been a Member State of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 1957 and has gradually developed a nuclear energy policy in line with international conventions and treaties in the nuclear field.

Argentina has strengthened its participation in multilateral forums such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG); the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC); the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT); and the Generation IV International Forum (GIF).

Argentina also participates in the Ibero-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Agencies (FORO, by its initials in Spanish) and the CANDU Senior Regulators Group (CSRG).

On 1 September 2017, Argentina officially joined the Nuclear Energy Agency and remains active in related activities.

CNEA, ARN and NA-SA each uphold roles to further international cooperation. Argentina has also developed strong ties with Latin American countries, including through cooperation with the IAEA under the Project Area of Latin America and Regional Cooperative Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARCAL, by its initials in Spanish). Every year, CNEA receives an important number of foreign students and professionals, mainly from Latin American countries, Africa and Asia who participate in a scholarship programme which is awarded by the IAEA.

Bilateral cooperation is developed according to three key considerations: interaction with operational countries in the nuclear field (such as through the Brazilian–Argentine Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials, ABACC, by its initials in Spanish); assistance to ‘newcomer’ countries; and collaboration and complementarity activities with countries expanding a peaceful nuclear programme.

The first objective is achieved by participating in technological development projects with agencies of countries with nuclear capabilities and enabling local technological development; the second is achieved through cooperation with newcomer countries with the objective of promoting Argentine nuclear technology; and the third is achieved by complementing and integrating efforts in search of synergies and economies of scale. For example, NA-SA has a special collaboration agreement with the Brazilian Electro nuclear company, sharing Brazilian and Argentine work during the outages at the nuclear stations in Brazil and Argentina, as well as other issues of interest for both countries.

Within the context of its regulating tasks, ARN also has a close and diverse interaction with national and foreign organizations, both governmental and non-governmental.

In 1994 the State designated a governmental, autonomous and technically independent institution for the exclusive exercise of these functions in order to differentiate its own regulatory role from that of the regulated. Therefore, Decree No. 1540 of 1994 established the National Nuclear Regulatory Agency (ENREN, by its initials in Spanish) until the promulgation, on 23 April 1997, of Law No. 24804, which established the current Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN). This law says that the State sets the regulation policy and control of the nuclear industry by means of ARN. Decree No. 1390 of 27 November 1998 regulates this law by defining its scope and procedures that facilitate its application.

ARN acts as an autarchic agency within the jurisdiction of the President and is subject to the public comptroller. In compliance with Article 7 of the law, ARN is in charge of regulating and controlling the activities undertaken by the nuclear industry in all areas related to nuclear and radiation safety; protection, physical security and control of the use of nuclear materials; and licensing and control of nuclear installations and international safeguards. The law states that the regulation and control of nuclear industry activity is subject to ‘national jurisdiction’.

ARN regulates and controls the activities undertaken in the nuclear industry in Argentina and ensures its compliance with the binding regulation in order to:

1. Protect people, the environment and future generations from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation;

2. Guarantee that nuclear materials are used only for authorized peaceful purposes;

3. Advise the National Executive Power in the field of nuclear industry.

With these objectives in mind, ARN fulfils the following activities:

1. Establishes a regulatory framework;

2. Issues, suspends or revokes installations and personnel licences;

3. Oversees and controls, by means of inspections, evaluations and regulatory audits;

4. Monitors the environment around the nuclear facilities and other sites of interest;

5. Intervenes in case of emergencies at the national, provincial or municipal level;

6. Manages training and education related to the regulatory act;

7. Authorizes imports and exports of all radioactive materials.

Facilities overseen by ARN have different aims, such as: electricity generation; fabrication of fuel elements for nuclear reactors; radioisotope production; radiation sources production; sterilization of medical materials; and the use and application of ionizing sources in medicine, industry, and basic and applied research.

The licensing process classifies facilities as Class I, II and III, differentiated on the basis of radiation risk and risk associated with technological complexity.

For Class I and II facilities, ARN grants licences, and for Class III facilities it grants records, according to the binding Regulatory Regulations AR 0.0.1. and AR 0.11.1.

Class I facilities require the following types of authorization to be granted: building licence, startup licence, operating licence and decommissioning licence. These facilities must operate with an operating licence, and its personnel must have individual licences and specific authorizations to work in posts that have a significant influence on safety.

Class II facilities require an operating licence issued to the institution responsible for practices with radioactive material or with ionizing radiation. Additionally, it is necessary that the responsible staff hold specific individual permits for specific practices.

Source: Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN), https://www.argentina.gob.ar/arn/