Atucha I celebrates 50 years of generating energy for the country.

The Atucha I Nuclear Power Plant, a pioneer in nuclear energy generation in Argentina and Latin America, celebrates its 50th anniversary of commercial operation. Since it began producing energy on June 24, 1974, Atucha I has been a key pillar in the country’s energy and technological development.

For half a century, the plant has provided clean and sustainable energy to millions of Argentinians through safe and efficient operation. Its contribution has been key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reaffirming the role of nuclear energy as a viable option in the fight against climate change.

Moreover, Atucha I has maintained exceptionally high performance levels throughout its five decades of operation, positioning Argentina as a regional leader in the nuclear field.

The plant is located on the right bank of the Paraná de las Palmas River, 100 kilometers from the city of Buenos Aires, in the town of Lima. It currently has a gross electrical output of 362 megawatts, exceeding its original design capacity of 319 megawatts.

The commissioning of Atucha I marked the beginning of a long-standing trajectory in nuclear power generation in Argentina. Following its success, the Embalse Nuclear Power Plant was built and commissioned in 1983, followed by Atucha II in 2014.

Looking ahead, Nucleoeléctrica Argentina is working on the Atucha I Life Extension Project, which will extend the plant’s operation by an additional 20 years at full power. The refurbishment outage, scheduled to take place between 2024 and 2026, will last 30 months and create 2,000 jobs, while also generating opportunities for qualified national suppliers in construction and component manufacturing.

Nucleoeléctrica Argentina is the company responsible for operating the country’s three active nuclear power plants: Atucha I, Atucha II, and Embalse. It also manages the commercialization of the energy produced in the Wholesale Electricity Market (MEM) and oversees projects that ensure the continued and safe operation of its facilities. The total installed capacity of its three plants is 1,763 MW.