Argentina is embarking on an ambitious plan to power its artificial intelligence (AI) sector through nuclear energy. Demian Reidel, the chief advisor to Argentinian President Javier Milei, announced the "Argentine Nuclear Plan," aiming to position nuclear energy as a cornerstone of the nation's and the world's energy future. "This is an ambitious plan symbolizing that nuclear energy will be one of the cornerstones of Argentina's and the world's energy future," Reidel stated, according to El Cronista.
The plan's first step involves constructing a small modular reactor (SMR) at the Atucha site, intended to facilitate access to energy throughout Argentina. While acknowledging that this type of technology is still in the development phase, "There is a resurgence of all nuclear technology coming, because it is the only clean energy that has the capacity to meet the energy demands of AI," Reidel explained, as reported by La Nación.
Milei underscored the necessity of nuclear energy in supporting the advancement of civilization and AI technologies. "After decades of decline, nuclear energy will have its triumphant return, and we will not be left behind; rather, we intend to be pioneers," stated Milei, according to La Voz del Interior. "Nuclear energy is the only source that is sufficiently efficient, abundant and rapidly scalable to cope with the development of our civilization," he added.
The Argentine Nuclear Plan focuses on ensuring energy security and increasing nuclear energy capacity by developing local technology and strengthening independent technological capabilities in the nuclear field. The plan has the backing of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reinforcing Argentina's leadership position in this new phase of nuclear energy. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi called Milei's announcement "promising" and stressed that nuclear energy "is a tool that Argentina has used over the last 70 years with marked success," according to La República.
To oversee the implementation, the government announced the creation of the Argentine Nuclear Council, presided over by Demian Reidel. The council includes Chief of Staff Guillermo Francos, Minister of Defense Luis Petri, and the President of the National Atomic Energy Commission, Germán Guido Lavalle, as reported by La Voz del Interior.
Currently, Argentina operates three active nuclear power plants: Atucha I, Atucha II, and Embalse, which together generate nearly 7% of the nation's electricity consumption. The new initiative includes constructing Atucha III and developing SMRs, offering greater flexibility and mobility due to their smaller size and power-generating capacity.
Reidel highlighted the role of Argentine nuclear engineers in advancing the plan. "We will do so with 100% Argentine technology, developed by our nuclear engineers, who are recognized among the best in the world," he stated, according to Rosario3. He assured that the plan "will give us energy sovereignty, will allow us to export this technology to the world," and promised that "blackouts will be just a bad memory," as reported by La Nación.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.