Argentina seeks new China-backed nuclear power plant

President Alberto Fernández of Argentina has decided to reactivate a project to build a new nuclear power plant in Argentina. Located in Buenos Aires province, the plant would generate 1,200 MW and help meet the country’s energy needs, but it is being questioned for its high costs and potential risks. 

The project was originally presented in 2015 by Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who served as president from 2007-2015. At the time, the aim was to build two power plants financed by China – one with Canadian CANDU technology, which Argentinian plants now use, and the other with the new Chinese Hualong technology.

Former President Mauricio Macri (2015-2019) then questioned the agreement and decided to move forward with only one plant (the one using Chinese technology) to cut costs. However, the project did not advance. Now, Mr. Fernández is looking to first kickstart the Chinese project, with the possibility of adding the CANDU plant in the medium term. 

“Argentina’s economy will continue to grow and therefore aims to slightly increase the share of nuclear energy in its matrix,” said José Luis Antunez, director of Nucleoeléctrica Argentina, a state-owned company...