Map of South American Nuclear Sites
Argentina and Brazil are the leading countries in nuclear energy production in South America, with both nations having established nuclear programs that contribute significantly to their electricity grids. Argentina operates two nuclear power plants: Atucha and Embalse. The country has been a pioneer in nuclear technology in Latin America, developing small modular reactor designs and investing in domestic fuel cycle capabilities. Brazil, on the other hand, has two operational reactors at the Angra Nuclear Power Plant, with plans to expand its nuclear sector in the coming years.
Other South American nations, such as Chile and Peru, have explored nuclear energy but have yet to develop commercial reactors. Interest in nuclear power is growing as countries seek to diversify their energy sources and reduce carbon emissions. The region faces challenges, including economic constraints and political considerations. Find out where the continent’s nuclear sites are located, and what goes on at each of them, on our interactive map of South American nuclear sites.
Quick Guide to using the Map of South American Nuclear Sites
MAP – Click and drag to move the map around. Hold Ctrl and use the mouse wheel to zoom in or out. Alternatively use the zoom buttons in the top right corner.
POINTS – Points are coloured based on the purpose of the nuclear site.
COUNTER – The counter in the top left displays the number of nuclear sites under each purpose. Clicking on a specific counter lets you see only sites that fall within that category.
POPUPS – Hovering over a specific point on the map will show you a popup containing additional information about the site.
Data
Below is the full data set used to create the South America Nuclear Sites Map. You can use it to look up specific nuclear sites.
| Name | Purpose | Country | Latitude | Longitude | Status | Construction Start | Start of Operations | End of Operations | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angra | Power Station | Brazil | -23.008123 | -44.457975 | In Service | 1971 | 1985 | / | 2x Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) |
| Argonauta | Research Reactor | Brazil | -22.865032 | -43.225881 | In Service | 1962 | 1965 | / | Argonaut |
| Atucha | Power Station | Argentina | -33.967500 S | -59.205000 W | In Service | 1968 | 1974 | / | Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) |
| Caetité Complex | Fuel Production | Brazil | -13.835393 | -42.277341 | In Service | Unknown | Unknown | / | Uranium Concentrate Unit |
| Central Argentina de Elementos Modulares (CAREM 25) | Research Reactor | Argentina | -33.967818 | -59.213016 | Under Construction | 2014 | / | / | Pwr Propulsion |
| Centro Atómico Constituyentes (CAC) | Research Institute | Argentina | -34.572947 | -58.511851 | In Service | Unknown | 1993 | / | Centred on nuclear technology, ranging from basic and applied research to development and technology transference, including a pre-competitive production as pilot plant, and training of human resources. |
| Centro Atómico Ezeiza | Research Institute | Argentina | -34.823333 | -58.57434 | In Service | Unknown | 1957 | / | Scientific, academic and productive activities |
| Centro de Estudios Nucleares (CEN) La Reina | Research Institute | Chile | -33.428542 | -70.525424 | In Service | Unknown | / | ||
| Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares (CIN) | Research Institute | Uruguay | -34.881623 | -56.120578 | In Service | Unknown | 1966 | / | |
| Centro Industrial Nuclear de Aramar | Military Research Site | Brazil | -23.398345 | -47.59844 | In Service | Unknown | Unknown | / | Nuclear research by the Brazilian Navy |
| Complejo Minero Fabril San Rafael | Fuel Production | Argentina | -34.653814 | -68.601661 | Permanently Shut Down | Unknown | 1975 | 1997 | Uranium mining and processing |
| Complejo Tecnológico Pilcaniyeu | Fuel Production | Argentina | -41.192784 | -70.870649 | In Service | Late 1970s | 1984 | / | Uranium Enrichment |
| CONUAR FAE | Fuel Production | Argentina | -34.821424 | -58.574421 | In Service | Unknown | 1982 | / | Manufacture of fuel elements |
| Córdoba plant | Fuel Production | Argentina | -31.376101 | -64.187545 | In Service | Unknown | Unknown | / | Uranium Hexafluoride Conversion Plant |
| DIOXITEK Plant | Fuel Production | Argentina | -26.107115 | -58.277029 | Under Construction | 2016 | / | / | Fuel Conversion and Manufacturing |
| Dry Spent Fuel Storage Facility (ASECQ) | Waste Management | Argentina | -33.967251 | -59.207461 | In Service | Unknown | Unknown | / | Temporary storage of spent fuel |
| Embalse | Power Station | Argentina | -32.232000 S | -64.443000 W | In Service | 1974 | 1984 | / | CANDU (PHWR) |
| IEA-R1 | Research Reactor | Brazil | -23.564081 | -46.735849 | In Service | Unknown | 1957 | / | Pool |
| Instituto Peruano de Energía Nuclear (IPEN) | Research Institute | Peru | -11.804447 | -77.012985 | In Service | Unknown | / | ||
| IPEN/MB-01 | Research Reactor | Brazil | -23.565423 | -46.737625 | In Service | Unknown | 1988 | / | Pool |
| Laboratório de Geração de Energia Nucleoelétrica (LABGENE) | Military Research Site | Brazil | -23.40213 | -47.59512 | In Service | Unknown | Unknown | / | Validation of design conditions and testing all possible operating conditions for a nuclear propulsion plant |
| Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN) | Research Institute | Brazil | -23.566367 | -46.738023 | In Service | Unknown | Unknown | / | Conducting research in the areas of nuclear materials and processes, nuclear reactors, applications of nuclear techniques, and nuclear safety |
| Nuclear Engineering Institute (IEN) | Research Institute | Brazil | -22.865635 | -43.226651 | In Service | Unknown | 1962 | / | Development of technologies in the nuclear and other related fields |
| Nuclear Sciences Regional Centre of the Central-West (CRCN-CO) | Research Institute | Brazil | -16.751266 | -49.427833 | In Service | Unknown | Unknown | / | Radioactive waste management and deposit, and nuclear technology in the Central-West Region of Brazil |
| Nuclear Sciences Regional Centre of the Northeast (CRCN-NE) | Research Institute | Brazil | -8.058718 | -34.948002 | In Service | Unknown | Unknown | / | Inspection and control of facilities and radioactive materials in the Northeast Region of Brazil |
| Nuclear Technology Development Centre (CDTN) | Research Institute | Brazil | -19.873381 | -43.966688 | In Service | Unknown | 1952 | / | Research of radioactive mineral occurrences, studies in nuclear physics field, metallurgy and in materials of nuclear interest |
| Poços de Caldas | Fuel Production | Brazil | -21.948946 | -46.498825 | In Service | Unknown | Unknown | 1997 | Uranium Mine |
| RA-0 | Research Reactor | Argentina | -31.419288 | -64.188767 | In Service | Unknown | 1965 | / | Tank |
| RA-1 Enrico Fermi | Research Reactor | Argentina | -34.572403 | -58.512351 | In Service | 1957 | 1958 | / | Tank |
| RA-10 | Research Reactor | Argentina | -34.830475 | -58.563083 | Under Construction | Unknown | 2023 | / | Pool |
| RA-2 | Research Reactor | Argentina | -34.572931 | -58.512006 | Permanently Shut Down | Unknown | 1966 | Unknown | Crit Assembly |
| RA-3 | Research Reactor | Argentina | -34.824137 | -58.573354 | In Service | Unknown | 1967 | / | Pool |
| RA-4 | Research Reactor | Argentina | -32.967607 | -60.62429 | In Service | Unknown | 1972 | / | Homog (S) |
| RA-6 | Research Reactor | Argentina | -41.121581 | -71.414272 | In Service | Unknown | 1982 | / | Pool |
| RA-8 | Research Reactor | Argentina | -41.19599 | -70.88072 | Temporarily Shut Down | Unknown | 1997 | / | Crit Assembly |
| Radiation Protection and Dosimetry Institute (IRD) | Research Institute | Brazil | -23.583429 | -46.636778 | In Service | Unknown | Unknown | / | Radiological protection and dosimetry of ionizing radiation, and conducts inspection of radioactive use in industry, power plants, and other areas |
| Reator Multipropósito Brasileiro (RMB) | Research Reactor | Brazil | -23.383343 | -47.623068 | In Service | Unknown | 1978 | / | Pool |
| RECH-1 | Research Reactor | Chile | -33.428595 | -70.524544 | In Service | Unknown | 1974 | / | Pool |
| RECH-2 | Research Reactor | Chile | -33.4286 | -70.524449 | Extended Shutdown | Unknown | 1989 | / | Pool |
| Resende Nuclear Fuel Factory (FCN) | Fuel Production | Brazil | -22.504926 | -44.640563 | In Service | 2000 | 2006 | / | UO2 powder reconversion, pellet manufacturing and nuclear fuel assembly |
| RP-0 | Research Reactor | Peru | -12.085399 | -77.008931 | In Service | Unknown | 1978 | / | Crit assembly |
| RP-10 | Research Reactor | Peru | -11.79943 | -77.01196 | In Service | Unknown | 1988 | / | Pool |
| RU-1 | Research Reactor | Uruguay | -34.88123 | -56.120572 | Decommissioned | Unknown | 1978 | 1997 | Pool |
| RV-1 | Research Reactor | Venezuela | 10.397567 | -66.984289 | Permanent shutdown | Unknown | 1960 | 1994 | Pool |
| Santa Quiteria | Fuel Production | Brazil | -4.575437 | -39.796108 | In Service | Unknown | Unknown | / | Uranium Mine |
| TRIGA IPR-R1 | Research Reactor | Brazil | -19.870722 | -43.963357 | In Service | Unknown | 1960 | / | Pool (TRIGA Mark I) |
| Unidade de Concentrado de Urânio (URA) | Fuel Production | Brazil | -13.833915 | -42.293657 | In Service | Unknown | 1999 | / | Uranium Mine |
| Unidade de Tratamento de Minério (UTM) | Fuel Production | Brazil | -21.972773 | -46.504716 | In Service | Unknown | Unknown | / | Ore Treatment Unit |
| Uranium Hexafluoride Pilot Unit (USEXA) | Fuel Production | Brazil | -23.400594 | -47.603008 | In Service | Unknown | Unknown | / | Uranium Hexafluoride Production |
