AECL works on Argentine Candu contract

30 July 2007

Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL) announced on 27 July that it had signed an agreement with Nucleoelectrica of Argentina to enter into commercial negotiations to define the contracts and project delivery model for a new 740 MWe Candu 6 nuclear power plant. The results of the negotiations will go to the Argentinian government for final review and approval by the end of April 2008. The decision to proceed with negotiations for a new Candu power plant is based on the results of a joint feasibility study completed in April 2007. Nucleoelectrica would be the project manager of the new plant, while AECL would provide technical assistance required during the construction. The agreement also includes the potential for a second unit. Argentina currently has two nuclear power reactors (Atucha 1 and Embalse), both pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs), generating nearly one-tenth of its electricity. In May 2006, AECL signed an agreement with Nucleoelectrica covering the refurbishment of the Embalse Candu 6 reactor, which was connected to the grid in 1983, and a feasibility study for another 700 MWe Candu 6 unit entering operation around 2015 in Argentina. The agreement also called for AECL to assist Nucleoelectrica to finish construction of the Atucha 2 reactor, which is currently some 80% complete.

Further information

AECL
Nucleoelectrica

WNA's Nuclear Power in Argentinainformation paper