Article 8 of the omnibus law declares “subject to privatization” to companies and societies that are wholly or majority state-owned and those found in Annex I. In that list, there is Nucleoeléctrica SA, (NASA), and Dioxitek SA, also managed by the State, which produces inputs to supply nuclear power plants.
In the same chapter there are also two other articles that modify the national law on nuclear activity. Article 10 repeals article 35 of the nuclear law, which stated that Nucleoeléctrica, if privatized, had to maintain up to 20% of its capital or at least 1 share in the hands of the State. Furthermore, article 11 of the omnibus law replaces another article of the nuclear law which gave rise to the State in the event of privatization.
The new article will say: “For the purposes of the aforementioned privatizations, public limited companies will be established, in which the national Executive Branch may retain one (1) share with the right to veto in decisions that imply the closure of the activity.”
Nuclear power plants
The company NASA operates the 3 nuclear power plants that exist in Argentina: Atucha I and Atucha IIin Zárate, and Reservoir, In cordoba. Of the electrical energy supply, it is in charge of 7% at the country level, as a result of having stops in Atucha II due to a failure in one of its reactors.
In 2024, Atucha I was scheduled to extend its life and increase the dry storage capacity of spent fuel elements, for which the Ministry of Economy had guaranteed US$600 million. The question is who would make that investment in the event of privatization.
In dialogue with Ambit, a Former director of NASA, who preferred not to be mentioned, assured that this is not the first time that an attempt has been made to privatize the company, but that the same debate had already occurred during the 1990s.. One of the points that should be looked at in case of passing into private hands is security: “In the event of an accident or civil damage, who will respond ultimately, who will bear the risks and costs?”one of the previous authorities asked.
When asked about how nuclear power plants work in the world, sources in the sector explained that there are two models. On the one hand, in USA, which is the country with the largest number of nuclear power plants in the world, has a scheme of private operators. But sector sources clarify: “With a very strong regulatory body.”
On the other hand, the country that has the highest proportion of nuclear energy in its matrix is France, being that more than 80% of electricity generation is nuclear. The operating company is Electricite de France (EDF), owned by the French State.
Another point that stands out in the nuclear sector is NASA’s role in promoting technological development and the value chain. Together with the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), NASA participates in the construction of the CAREM mega project. It is a “mini” nuclear power plant designed and built in Argentina. The reactor has a technology that only 3 countries carry out and that could be exported for millions of dollars, in a context where the energy transition favors nuclear energy, which does not generate carbon dioxide.
He Carem Construction began in 2014 and should have already been completed, but it was delayed with changes in the Government. During the Cambiemos government, they held a tender and were in charge of Techint. In 2019, it returned to the hands of the State.
Rafael Grossi, the Argentine who directs the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)key to monitoring the proper use of nuclear energy in the world (with a leading role in the Russia-Ukraine war) He assured months ago that there is a “strong interest in small and modular reactors” and ““Argentina is one of the few countries that develops it”. Bill Gates even has a company looking to make one, he mentioned.
Grossi is visiting Argentina and was received by the president, Javier Milei. “Honored to exchange views on strengthening cooperation between Argentina and the IAEA. “Argentina’s experience is crucial for nuclear development at a global level,” he wrote in his X account.
Source: Ambito
