The Argentine Nucleoelectric Program

Abstract

The Argentine National Atomic Energy Commission [Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica (CNEA)] is the institution responsible for planning the country’s electric generating plants; it was established in 1951 and at present it has approximately 5000 agents and an annual budget of about $200 million. Its activities range from basic research to operation of the Atucha Nuclear Power Station [Central Nuclear en Atucha (CNA)] and construction of the Embalse Nuclear Power Station [Central Nuclear en Embalse (CNE)]. Exploration and exploitation of the Argentine uranium resou rces are also within the scope of its activities. Since the date the CNA began commercial operation, the CNEA joined the group of electricity generating companies that supplies the national market, and has participated in the study group of the Secretary of Energy. The Secretary o f Energy has defined the electric plant expansión up to 1986; a program that will cover the period from 1986 onward is being studied and the conclusions are likely to be known during the second half of this year. Apart from the CNA, which has been in commercial operation since mid-1974, and the CNE, which is scheduled for commercial operation in 1981, the approved generating plant installation program anticipates a third nuclear power station (CNA II) for 1986/1987. Because of the priority that has been given to exploitation of the hydroelectrical resources, it is anticipated that the nucleoelectric plant additions from 1986 to 1994 will be insignificant, except for the possible addition o f a fourth nuclear power plant in 1989/1990 and a fifth plant in 1993/1994. A fter that date, the economically available hydroelectric resou rces will be exhausted, and all further system expansions will be made on the basis of nuclear power stations. The present report review s the three nuclear power stations mentioned before: 319-MW(e) Atucha Nuclear Power Station (operating) 600-MW(e) Embalse Nuclear Pow er Station (under construction) =~600-MW(e) Atucha Nuclear Power Station II (in project).