Atucha I: 50 years since its connection to the grid

Atucha I began its construction on June of 1968. Its reactor started to operate on January 13, 1974, and its commercial production began on June 24 of that same year, becoming the first nuclear power plant in Argentina and Latin America.

The plant has a trajectory of 50 years of excellence, committed to generating base load energy for the country throughout a safe and responsible operation. In addition, through clean generation it allowed reducing the greenhouse gas emissions.

It currently has a gross electrical power of 362 electrical megawatts, higher than the original design power of 319 electrical megawatts. The reactor type is PHWR, it uses heavy water as the main fluid and moderator, and 0.85% slightly enriched uranium as fuel.

The facility is located on the right bank of the Paraná River, 100 km from the city of Buenos Aires in the town of Lima, Zárate.

During its five decades of operation, Atucha I stood out for its high levels of performance, positioning the country as a pioneer and leader in nuclear matters within the region.

Atucha I Life Extension

The operation license for Atucha I issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Authority will end in 2024, concluding its first life cycle. Since 2006, Nucleoeléctrica started to perform the necessary studies to evaluate the life extension project, the outcome was that Atucha I could generate clean and safe energy for two more decades.

The refurbishment outage will last thirty months and it will take place between 2024 and 2026.-

The Atucha I life extension project will allow the plant to operate for a new life cycle of 20 years.

Half century of a prestigious trajectory

Argentina has been a pioneer in Latin America in the use of nuclear energy. The country has a 50-year history of safe and efficient operation of nuclear power plants.

This is possible thanks to continuous improvements in safety and the exchange of information with other plants, with the aim of generating clean and safe energy for the environment and, at the same time, contributing against climate change.

Nucleoelectrica Argentina operates the Atucha I, Atucha II and Embalse nuclear power plants. The total installed power of the three plants is 1,763 MW.

Its activities are subject to the highest safety standards and undergo rigorous monitoring through national and international controls.

Nuclear energy contributes to caring for the environment due to its competitiveness and reduction of CO2 emissions. This energy source does not produce gases or particles that cause the greenhouse effect in its production process, which helps combat one of the main causes of climate change.-