New Milestone in a Strategic Project for Atucha II
Nucleoeléctrica has reached a new milestone in the Spent Fuel Dry Storage Project (ASECG II), which has already achieved 38% progress, with the manufacturing and arrival of a state-of-the-art gantry crane—the second of its kind in the country.
Tuesday 30 December 2025
The equipment was developed by the Mendoza-based company IMPSA, based on a technical specification fully prepared by Nucleoeléctrica’s Project Management Department. The crane features an innovative design that will allow for the precise handling and positioning of the baskets containing spent nuclear fuel during dry storage operations.
Installation and commissioning of the equipment are scheduled for early 2026 and are expected to take four months.
A Strategic Facility for Atucha II
ASECG II is an essential facility to ensure the future operation of Atucha II and to guarantee the responsible management of nuclear fuel.
During their operational life, nuclear power plants store spent fuel elements in decay pools with limited capacity. For this reason, the current international standard is dry storage—a safe, efficient, and sustainable solution used by countries with developed nuclear industries.
At Atucha II, pool capacity is expected to be reached by December 2027, reinforcing the importance of advancing this project on schedule.
Ongoing Construction Works
Key civil works have already been completed—such as the high-strength concrete base where the silos will be installed—and construction is progressing on system components, including containers, shielded lids, and supporting steel structures.
The system design incorporates passive ventilation, which keeps temperatures within safe ranges without the need for electrical power or human intervention, enhancing long-term reliability.
With ASECG II, Nucleoeléctrica reaffirms its commitment to technological innovation and to the safe and efficient generation of electricity for the country.
