The future of nuclear power in Latin America

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA)

OSTI ID:5559183

Eibenschutz, J

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the future prospects of nuclear power in Latin America. As part of the developing world, Latin America has a great potential for energy growth. Although there are substantial differences among the different countries of the area, one common denominator is the relatively low per-capita energy consumption. As in many other regions of the world, nuclear power makes sense to complement hydro and fossil-fueled power generation. One of the main restrictions to the growth of nuclear power has been the relatively small size of some electric system. As in most developing countries, the damage to the environment due to the energy-producing systems is very important. In countries like Cuba, nuclear power is clearly the most economical source, since the country lacks indigenous energy resources and the need to import primary energy sources favors nuclear power. The problem of the Latin American region is a severe shortage of financial resources. Standardization has been recognized as one of the better mechanisms to lower nuclear power costs. Argentina has been proposing the construction of CANDU-type reactors as the basis for their standard program, and some years ago Mexico took steps to launch a program for the installation of {approx}20 identical units. As in the whole world, the general public is reluctant to accept nuclear power. So far, nuclear power plants have been important to Latin America, with varying levels of local participation, but with imported technology. Unless a major scientific breakthrough takes place, nuclear power will constitute an important component of the energy system in Latin America.

• OSTI ID: 5559183
• Report Number(s): CONF-8810179--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA) Journal Volume: 58
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
CANDU TYPE REACTORS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ELECTRIC POWER
ELECTRICITY
ENERGY ANALYSIS
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
HEAVY WATER MODERATED REACTORS
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
IMPORTS
LATIN AMERICA
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
PRESSURE TUBE REACTORS
PUBLIC OPINION
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SAFETY
STANDARDIZATION
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMAL REACTORS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS