Argentina continues to build its rapidly expanding nuclear power program with the signing of an agreement for the construction of its 6th reactor. During a state visit in Moscow last week, the Argentine and Russian presidents signed a deal that paves the way for Russian nuclear company, Rosatom, to build a 6th nuclear reactor in Argentina. Accords were also signed for Russia to provide nuclear fuel for reactors in Argentina and for the two nations to cooperate on joint research and development projects. These announcements come on the heels of similar deals signed in February this year with Chinese nuclear firm, China National Nuclear (CNNC), to fund and build Argentina's 4th and 5th plants.

Argentina's growing fleet of nuclear power plants - Argentina's 6th reactor is to be built at its Atucha facility. The country currently has three nuclear power units in operation - the 660MWe Embalse, the 335MWe Atucha I and the 745MWe Atucha 2, which reached full capacity in February this year. All are pressurized heavy water reactors. Also in February, agreements were ratified with CNNC to build another pressurized heavy water reactor at the Atucha site as well as to cooperate on the construction of a new Chinese-designed reactor in Argentina which would mark the first potential overseas order for China's Hualong One reactor.

Argentina's expanding nuclear fuel supply chain - Argentina has its own enviable nuclear industry including enrichment, heavy water and fuel fabrication facilities and has announced plans to expand its enrichment capacity with a new facility in Formosa Province. But the country currently relies 100% on imported nuclear fuel, offering an immediate domestic market. These latest agreements with Russia and China to build three new reactors in Argentina underscore the growing need for local uranium supply that could be satisfied by U3O8 Corp's Laguna Salada Project as one of the most advanced projects in the country.

Apr. 23, 2015 - Argentina, Russia sign nuclear reactor and fuel deals

Apr. 23, 2015 - CFK confirms Russia will build nuclear plant