Argentina - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Current operations
Argentina has three operable reactors. The single unit at Embalse, a Candu 6 PHWR, commenced operation in 1983. It underwent a major three-year refurbishment project finishing in early 2019. The refurbishment extended the unit's operational lifetime by 30 years.
The two units at Atucha are both Siemens PHWRs, unique to Argentina. The first unit commenced operation in 1974. A 30-month refurbishment project, which is expected to allow the unit to operate for a further 20-25 years, commenced at the end of September 2024 and was reported as 60% complete by July 2026.
The larger unit 2 at Atucha commenced operation in 2014 following a long construction period with many delays.
In 2025 only Atucha 2 and Embalse were in operation. Both achieved high capacity factors and the amount of electricity supplied by nuclear plants in Argentina was similar to recent years.
Table Ar.1 Nuclear capacity status (as of 1 October 2026)
| Operable reactors | Operable reactors net capacity (MWe) | Operable reactors gross capacity (MWe) | Reactors under construction | Reactors under construction gross capacity (MWe) | Cumulative carbon dioxide emissions avoided 1970-2025 (cf. coal) (MtCO2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1631 | 1754 | 1 | 29 | 294 |
Nuclear policy and outlook
Argentina has one 29 MWe small modular reactor (SMR), called CAREM, under construction, although construction is currently suspended. The country had announced plans to construct at least one additional large reactor, although government officials have since indicated that four 300 MWe SMRs would be built instead. The ACR-300 SMR design has been developed by Argentinian company Invap. A US investment company, the Ansari Group, has acquired the ACR-300 patent and formed a joint venture with Invap’s US subsidiary for the design and future manufacture of the reactors.
In September 2025, Argentina’s government announced plans to sell 44% of Nucleoeléctrica Argentina by international tender, while keeping 51% state ownership; with the stated aim of attracting private investment for future reactors and uranium mining.
In July 2026 the Argentinian government announced that US-based Meitner Energy, which is backed by the Ansari Group, was planning to invest US$1.2 billion in the construction of a 300 MWe small modular reactor at the Atucha site. Construction is expected to take five years, after Argentina’s nuclear regulator grants the required licenses.
Table Ar.2 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050 (gross)
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 740 | 1014 | 29 | - | 1200 | - | - | - | 2983 |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
Argentina has already carried out major refurbishment of Embalse and work at Atucha 1 is ongoing to allow for extended operation of existing plant. However, with regard to plans for new capacity, construction on the CAREM reactor remains suspended and the project is long overdue. A proposal to construct an ACR-300 SMR at Atucha is making progress but is at an early stage.
| Country Category | Restarter |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | Moderate Clarity is needed on whether plans to build four ACR-300 units at Atucha, announced by the Argentine Nuclear Council in June 2025, still remain, as well as whether the Carem project will be completed. |
| Institutional & Infrastructure Readiness | Moderate-High Argentina has an established regulator, site operator, engineering sector and nuclear supply chain. Licensing the first-of-a-kind 300 MWe reactor will require considerable new design-review capability and sustained staffing across the wider nuclear sector. |
| Programme & Project Development Readiness | Low-Moderate The recent progress for Argentina’s first ACR-300 from a broad government proposal to an identifiable commercial project with a developer and proposed financing is a significant step. The project now needs to progress through licensing of the new design and reach the final investment decision. |
| Target Achievability | Moderate Argentina is proceeding with projects to enable extended operation at its existing plants. Following the recent announcement regarding the first ACR-300 unit, clarity is needed on the subsequent project pipeline. |
