"China is building a nuclear power plant in Argentina as it looks to Latin America" 13 February 2022

A recently inked deal to build a nuclear power plant in Argentina is the latest effort by China to engage with Latin American countries using its advanced clean energy technology, part of a broader push to expand its influence in the region.

The US$8 billion plant, known as Atucha III, will use China’s home-grown Hualong One design. Located near Lima – about 100km (62 miles) northwest of the capital Buenos Aires – it will be Argentina’s fourth nuclear power station and will have an installed capacity of 1.2 gigawatts and an initial life of 60 years. [...] Days later, Argentina agreed to join China’s global Belt and Road Initiative – the first major Latin American country to do so – with President Alberto Fernandez signing a memorandum of understanding during a visit to Beijing. [...]

But some Chinese energy projects have come up against opposition from residents and environmental groups, including the Hualong One nuclear power plant. The original plan to build it in Rio Negro was opposed by civil society groups and the province passed a law banning it. [...] Antonio Hsiang, a professor at La Academia Nacional de Estudios Politicos y Estrategicos (ANEPE) in Chile, said environmental issues were a big problem for Chinese investments in Latin America.

“You’ve seen a few successful cases but there are far more failed projects because of local residents’ opposition,” he said. [...]