Korea and Argentina see a brighter future for bilateral cooperation in the field of SMRs and Research Reactor

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Argentina, H.E. Mr. Daniel Filmus, visited KAERI on February 2, 2023 and discussed with President, Dr. Joo Han Gyu, bilateral R&D cooperations in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy. They exchanged views on a wide range of common interests, including SMRs and research reactors.

Having recently visited Barakah Nuclear Power Plants, built in the United Arab Emirates(UAE) in cooperation with Korea, the Argentine side expressed their strong interest in bilateral cooperation with KAERI. Experts from National Atomic Energy Commission(CNEA), an Argentine nuclear R&D body, also shared their recent research activities and achievements.

Argentina has its own nuclear enrichment facility and is a top-tier research reactor exporter. The country has already started the construction of the SMR, CAREM-25, for the first time in the world. Despite its outstanding technical capabilities in research reactors and SMRs, it supplies only 7% of the domestic electricity demand with three nuclear power plants.

KAERI is also leading development of SMRs and research reactors. The institute has developed its original SMR design, namely SMART, which was issued the Standard Design Approval in 2012, for the first time as an SMR in the world. The Jordan Research and Training Reactor(JRTR) is another success story of KAERI’s overseas partnership.

Both sides extensively discussed ways of further strengthening ties between two countries’ nuclear experts and shared understanding that bilateral cooperation between the CNEA and the KAERI would make a brighter future for SMRs and research reactors.