CAREM

The reactor was integrally designed by CNEA (National Atomic Energy Commission), being the first power reactor designed by the country. It is basically a simplified pressurized water reactor (PWR) designed to have an electrical output of 25MW for the first prototype, 100MW in the following one. It is an integral reactor – the coolant system is inside the reactor vessel – so that the entire plant operates at the same pressure. This design minimizes the risk of loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCA). Its fuel is uranium oxide with a Enriched uranium of 3.4% that needs to be replaced annually.{{cite web |author=Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology |title=Report to Congress on Small Modular Nuclear Reactors |date=May 2001 |publisher=U.S. Department of Energy |url=http://www.ne.doe.gov/pdfFiles/Cong-Rpt-may01.pdf |ref={{harvid|Report to Congress|2001}} |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055134/http://www.ne.doe.gov/pdfFiles/Cong-Rpt-may01.pdf |archive-date=16 July 2011 }}{{rp|20–22}} The primary coolant system uses natural circulation, so there are no pumps required, which provides inherent safety against core meltdown, even in accident situations.

In 1984 it was presented publicly for the first time during an IAEA conference in Peru.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cab.cnea.gov.ar/divulgacion/reactores/m_reactores_fa.html |title=El proyecto de reactor CAREM |access-date=2010-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716161837/http://www.cab.cnea.gov.ar/divulgacion/reactores/m_reactores_fa.html |archive-date=2009-07-16 |url-status=dead }} For political reasons the project was halted but was relaunched by the 2006 Argentine nuclear reactivation plan.

The 25 MWe prototype version of CAREM currently being built will be followed by a second one of 100–200 MWe to be installed in Formosa Province.{{cite news |url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Construction-of-CAREM-underway-1002144.html |title=Construction of CAREM underway |publisher=World Nuclear News |date=10 February 2014 |access-date=19 February 2014}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.elcomercial.com.ar/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8822:el-plan-nuclear-argentino-coloca-a-formosa-en-destacado-lugar-frente-a-la-construccion-del-carem&catid=11:tapa&Itemid=67 |title=El Plan Nuclear Argentino coloca a Formosa en destacado lugar frente a la construcción del CAREM |access-date=2010-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720113748/http://www.elcomercial.com.ar/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8822%3Ael-plan-nuclear-argentino-coloca-a-formosa-en-destacado-lugar-frente-a-la-construccion-del-carem&catid=11%3Atapa&Itemid=67 |archive-date=2011-07-20 |url-status=dead }}

As of 2013, the first prototype was planned to receive its first fuel load in 2017.{{cite news |url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Contract-awarded-for-CAREM-vessel-0412137.html |title=Contract awarded for CAREM vessel |publisher=World Nuclear News |date=5 December 2013 |access-date=6 December 2013}} First concrete was poured in February 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Construction-of-Argentinas-small-CAREM-25-unit-to |title=Construction of Argentina's CAREM-25 unit to restart|publisher=World Nuclear News|date=8 November 2021 |access-date=9 May 2022}}

As of 2016, the completion of the project was scheduled for the end of 2018.{{cite web |url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Contract-for-Contract-for-prototype-CAREM-balance-of-plant-0609164.html |title=Contract for prototype CAREM balance of plant|publisher=World Nuclear News |date=6 September 2016 |access-date=6 December 2013}} Cost has been estimated to US$446{{cite web |title=Nuclear Power in Argentina {{!}} Argentinian Nuclear Energy |publisher= World Nuclear Association |url=https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-a-f/argentina.aspx |website=www.world-nuclear.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622054816/https://www.world-nuclear.org/Information-Library/Country-Profiles/countries-A-F/Argentina.aspx |archive-date=22 June 2020 |date=April 2020 |quote=The total cost was estimated at ARS 3.5 billion ($446 million). |url-status=live}}-700 million.{{cite web |last1=Baker |first1=Andrew |title=Argentine nuclear reactor due to start up in... |url=https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/electricpower/argentine-nuclear-reactor-due-to-start-up-in-2020/ |website=BNamericas.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330153735/https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/electricpower/argentine-nuclear-reactor-due-to-start-up-in-2020/ |archive-date=30 March 2019 |url-status=live}} As of 2018, the start date was deferred to 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsprogress-for-argentinas-carem-smr-6144828 |title=Progress for Argentina's CAREM vessel|publisher= Nuclear Engineering International|date=9 May 2018 |access-date=17 August 2019}}

In November 2019, construction was halted due to late payments to the contractor, design changes and late delivery of technical documentation. A new contract for finishing the concrete structures of the reactor was awarded in November 2021.

In September 2024, construction had once again halted due to the mass layoff of 153 construction workers. This is projected to be due to lack of sufficient funding, despite union representatives claiming that construction is 85% complete.{{Cite web |last=Jaureguy |first=Martina |date=2024-09-14 |title=Construction of first Argentine-made nuclear power reactor halted amid layoffs |url=https://buenosairesherald.com/business/construction-of-first-argentine-made-nuclear-reactor-halted-amid-layoffs |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Buenos Aires Herald |language=en-US}}

• List of small modular reactor designs

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• {{official website|https://www.argentina.gob.ar/cnea/reactor-argentino-carem}} {{in lang|es}}

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