The ATMEA1 reactor pre-qualified in Argentina

The national utility Nucleoeléctrica Argentina (NA-SA) has informed ATMEA that it had pre-qualified the ATMEA1 technology for the next Request For Proposals that will be issued for the construction of its fourth nuclear power plant. By pre-selecting the ATMEA1 technology, NA-SA acknowledges that the ATMEA1 reactor is a qualified design that could meet the most stringent safety requirements and fit needs of the NA-SA.

“After Jordan pre-selection of the ATMEA1 design last May and as confirmed by the recent positive statement of the French Safety Authority ASN on the ATMEA1 reactor’s safety options, this NA-SA decision confirms the trust being placed in the ATMEA1 technology. I’m confident that its design will fulfil stringent Argentina’s requirements, with its highest safety level as a Generation III+ reactor, its proven technology and its superior operation performance”, outlined Philippe Namy, ATMEA President.

In 2006, Argentina announced the reactivation of a strategic plan for the country’s nuclear power sector, including the construction of a fourth nuclear reactor.

The ATMEA1 reactor is a pressurized water reactor of 1,100 MWe, intended for any types of electrical networks and in particular for medium power grids. It was designed and developed by ATMEA, the 50/50 Joint Venture created in 2007 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and AREVA. Taking support on these two parent companies, ATMEA capitalizes on their experience of about 130 nuclear power plants which are operating in the world for around 50 years, and representing approximately 3300 cumulative reactor years of operation.