en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Argentine government announced on Tuesday that it will build a 300 MW modular nuclear reactor at the Atucha site north of the capital Buenos Aires, with a project investment of $1.2 billion, all from private capital.

Argentine President Javier Milei emphasized that this is the first nuclear reactor fully financed by private capital, expected to create 2,000 jobs. Presidential spokesperson Adrián Raviel stated at a press conference that Mythen Energy, a company composed of U.S. and Argentine capital, will be responsible for the investment and construction of the project.

This announcement comes amid social tensions at the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) due to layoffs. A week ago, CNEA President Martín Polo dismissed 61 employees, primarily engaged in administrative work, sparking protests in front of the institution. According to the National Workers' Association (ATE), approximately 100 of CNEA's roughly 3,000 employees have been laid off recently, with two others resigning.

These layoffs are part of austerity measures implemented by the Milei government across multiple sectors, including nuclear energy. According to Argentine media Chequeado, citing official data, CNEA's budget has been cut by 58% since Milei took office in 2023.

Argentina currently operates three nuclear power plants: Atucha I, Atucha II, and Embalse, which contribute about 8% of the country's electricity generation. In Latin America, only Brazil and Mexico also possess nuclear power technology.