A few Latin American countries are hoping to realize their plans for nuclear expansion, according to this article in Americas Quarterly.
Right now only six nuclear power plans in Latin America exist, with a pair each in Mexico, Argentina and Brazil.
But more countries are hoping to join that list, including Chile, Venezuela and Uruguay. Meanwhile, Brazil and Argentina want to double or triple their existing capacity.
The author of the article, Sharon Squassoni, senior associate in the Nonproliferation Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, argues that even if this nuclear increase happens, it most likely will not reduce dependence on energy produced by fossil fuels. For example, she writes, in Mexico, eight new reactors still would only mean nuclear power accounts for 12 percent of electricity generation.
As the Times notes, Chavez is trying to get Brazil, France, Iran and Russia on board, but so far no one seems to be signing on.
Source: Americas Quarterly, Times
Photo: pro.corbis.com, Laguna Verde nuclear power plant in Veracruz, Mexico
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