Initial hot testing of the Atucha 2 nuclear power reactor in Argentina has successfully been completed in January 2013. The 745 MWe pressurized heavy-water reactor (PHWR) is expected to begin generating electricity in June. Reactor is operated by Nucleoeléctrica Argentina SA. Loading of fuel into unit 2 of the Atucha plant began on 14 December 2012.
Work originally began on Atucha 2 in June 1981. The PHWR reactor was designed by Siemens. A lack of funds caused the project to stall in 1994. The project was revived after a 2006 government decision to complete the plant as part of a $3.5 billion strategic plan for the country's nuclear power sector.
Argentina currently has two nuclear power reactors (Atucha 1 and Embalse), both PHWRs, which generated about 5% of its electricity in 2011. Government plans the construction of a fourth unit and a feasibility study has already been undertaken.
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