El Salvador is advancing the foundations for a future nuclear energy program, strengthening its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the country develops a long-term strategy focused on energy security, sustainability, and greater energy sovereignty.
During the IAEA General Conference, Daniel Álvarez, Director General of El Salvador’s Directorate General of Energy, Hydrocarbons and Mines, met with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi to review the country’s progress and next steps. Grossi said El Salvador is laying a “solid foundation” for nuclear energy and confirmed the Agency’s readiness to continue supporting the program.
The country has already taken institutional steps toward this objective, including the establishment of a regulatory framework and specialized structures responsible for nuclear safety, safeguards, and oversight. El Salvador is also progressing through the IAEA’s Milestones Approach, a structured framework designed to help countries develop the legal, regulatory, institutional, technical, and human-resource capabilities required for a safe and sustainable nuclear power program.
The initiative is being pursued under the vision of President Nayib Bukele, with Salvadoran authorities describing nuclear energy as a long-term decision intended to strengthen the nation’s energy independence and provide a more sustainable foundation for future economic development.
The process remains focused on planning, regulation, institutional capacity, and international cooperation. In May 2026, El Salvador’s energy authorities emphasized that the IAEA’s infrastructure review was part of strategic evaluation and planning and did not represent the immediate construction of a nuclear power plant.
With continued IAEA technical support, El Salvador is therefore building the institutional and regulatory groundwork needed to evaluate nuclear energy responsibly, positioning the country to explore advanced energy technologies as part of its long-term development strategy.