The Embalse Nuclear Power Plant returns to service for a new cycle of 30 years

Nucleoeléctrica Argentina successfully reached on 4 January at 2:00 p.m., the critical start in the reactor of the Embalse Nuclear Power Plant, a technical term that refers to the controlled chain nuclear reaction, the primary source of power generation of the plant.

In this way, the reactor of the Cordovan nuclear power plant, located in the town of Embalse, begins its second operating cycle for a period of 30 years.

Undersecretary of Nuclear Energy, Julián Gadano, along with other authorities of the nuclear industry and mayors of the area, witnessed this remarkable milestone.

There they greeted the president of Nucleoeléctrica Argentina and director of the Extension of Life Project, Omar Semmoloni, and those who were in charge of this achievement.

Semmoloni said that "the investment made for the development of the nuclear industry is fully justified, we have shown that with clear objectives it is possible to carry out activities that allow us to develop technology and innovation".

The critical start is the most awaited moment of the life extension of the plant, since it implies the beginning of the nuclear operation.

Next, the tests will begin at different power levels and the behavior of the systems will be verified, until the commercial operation is reached.

Then, the plant will start delivering power to the grid in a progressive manner until it reaches a power of 683 MWe to the National Electric System, six percent more than its previous generation capacity.

Among the most important tasks of the Life Extension Project of the Embalse Nuclear Power Station is the reactor retouching, the change of the steam generators, the increase of power and the updating of the installation.

The plant completed its first operating cycle on December 31, 2015. Throughout its history, the international community of the nuclear sector recognized it for its excellent performance and always remained among the top ten in the world ranking of nuclear power plants.

This Nucleoeléctrica Argentina release was published using an automatic translation system.