Montreal-based SNC-Lavalin has received a pre-project contract from Nucleoeléctrica Argentina for the new Candu nuclear project in the northwest of Buenos Aires.
To be built at the Atucha site in the district of Zàrate, the new Candu reactors are fuel-flexible and capable of using natural uranium for fuel.
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As part of the six-month deal, SNC-Lavalin will be responsible for engaging suppliers for long-lead equipment, conduct preliminary design work and safety analysis, as well as offer licensing support and provide technical assistance from Canada.
SNC-Lavalin's chief nuclear officer & executive vice-president Preston Swafford said: "We are very excited about this contract. It is a clear signal of recognition of SNC-Lavalin in the global nuclear market and recognises international support for Candu technology.
“Candu reactors are some of the top-performing reactors in the world. We believe this track record of high-performance will continue with this project in Argentina.”
The announcement follows after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Argentina President Mauricio Macri discussed about the mutual collaboration between the two countries.
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By GlobalDataArgentina already owns and operates a Candu reactor, which is located at Embalse, about 650km northwest of Buenos Aires, which went into commercial operation in 1984.
The reactor supplies electricity and produces radioisotope Cobalt-60, which is used in medical and industrial applications.
In June this year, SNC was contracted for the life extension of the Embalse reactor.
