NASA operates the Atucha I, Atucha II and Embalse nuclear generating stations. The federal privatization tender is scheduled for year-end release. Kicillof characterized the transaction structure as criminal misappropriation of national patrimony, stating that selling strategic nuclear infrastructure to unknown private or foreign entities without adequate regulatory framework poses unacceptable sovereignty risks. He confirmed the province will pursue legal intervention to block the sale.
The provincial presentation featured former NASA President José Luis Antúnez, former National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) President and current National Deputy Adriana Serquis, and provincial Energy Undersecretary Gastón Ghioni. Participants identified three critical policy failures: the NASA privatization process, suspension of the CAREM modular reactor project, and budget cuts to CNEA. Serquis noted the timing contradiction of Argentina divesting nuclear capabilities while Canada seeks 100,000 nuclear engineers and heavy water supplies. Antúnez stated the country now imports heavy water despite operating the world’s largest production facility at PIAP in Neuquén province and has abandoned autonomous uranium production.
Kicillof framed the federal policy as strategically damaging during a global nuclear energy resurgence driven by artificial intelligence and data center power demands. He argued developed nations would pay premium prices for Argentina’s nuclear technology capabilities, built through decades of investment in scientific and technical human capital. The governor characterized halting the CAREM reactor as particularly destructive to commercial export potential in modular reactor technology. Federal Energy Secretary Demián Reidel resigned in July 2025 amid criticism of the nuclear sector restructuring, though he retained leadership of NASA.
The provincial government positioned its opposition as defending capabilities in nuclear, satellite and aerospace technology against what officials described as United States pressure to dismantle strategic sectors. Provincial authorities announced plans to develop an integrated nuclear development plan linked to broader energy, production and technology policy.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
