The Salvadoran government has taken its first steps into the introduction of a nuclear reactor for electricity generation. Currently, the focus is on building an initial reactor solely for research purposes. In a meeting with the Commission on Technology, Tourism, and Investment, Daniel Álvarez, head of the General Directorate of Energy, Hydrocarbons, and Mines, emphasized the importance of completing this first research reactor before deciding on a timeline for energy production.
“Once we have the research reactor, we can answer the question of when we might have a reactor for energy generation. It could be done in parallel, or maybe not—that’s why we’re talking about a seven-year timeframe,” Álvarez stated.
When questioned about the cost of a nuclear power plant, Álvarez explained that the ongoing seven-year planning process would help provide answers. The size and type of the plant needed to meet El Salvador’s energy demands are still under consideration.
Despite questions from Congresswoman Claudia Ortiz (Vamos), Álvarez could not provide precise figures on the state’s investment over the seven-year plan. He emphasized that the numbers are still being analyzed, with a focus on exploring “small modular reactors”—a technology developed by Argentina, the United States, and China. These reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), generate a third of the energy of traditional reactors with lower carbon emissions, and their components can be transported as a single unit for installation.
The Salvadoran government is collaborating with international organizations and allied governments, including Argentina, the United States, and South Korea, to secure scholarships for education and training in nuclear technology. Álvarez reiterated that the initial investment would come from the state, with the focus being on education, training, and research. He stated, “Nuclear material cannot be managed by private entities; the state must lead the way.”
The government believes the seven-year period will be sufficient to develop the research reactor, which will be used for producing radioisotopes, a key resource in medicine and industry, but not yet for electricity generation.