Argentina's nuclear export, are there reasons to worry?

The ambbadador and nuclear expert Rafael Mariano Grossi, Representative of Argentina to the International Atomic Energy Agency and former Deputy Director General of that organization, replies about the export of a reactor by INVAP to Saudi Arabia.

– This export, is it a surprise?

Not at all. INVAP has long been a successful nuclear supplier and present on all continents. Peru, Algeria, Egypt, Australia, the Netherlands and, now, Saudi Arabia, are proof of this.

– What kind of reactor is this?

It is a low power research reactor, between 30 and 100 kilowatts. Very useful for the training and training of Saudi personnel. But it is not a reactor that can test materials or produce radioisotopes for medical use.

– However, the international press has attracted a lot of interest. It is said that Saudi Arabia does not have the necessary controls …

I think this is due to considerations and speculations of a political rather than a technical nature. From a technical and regulatory point of view, we must begin by saying that Argentina or INVAP do not export nuclear material or equipment unless they are subject to IAEA safeguards (inspections). Non-proliferation is a state policy for us.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia signed a safeguards agreement with the IAEA in 2005, entered into force in 2009 and containing a small quantity protocol, which allows the IAEA to monitor countries with very little material or nuclear activity.

This will now change because, before fuel elements are introduced into the reactor, this minimal agreement model should become a comprehensive safeguards agreement. This is provided for in agreements already signed.

– Is there less trust then?

It's not about that. Saudi Arabia will have a functioning facility, containing more nuclear material, in this case low enriched uranium, and IAEA, as worldwide, should control through its inspections that these materials are not diverted to third parties. uses.

– Saudi Arabia said that if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, it would do the same. How is this export understood in this context?

I repeat, we are talking about a small research center. Linking it to hypothetical war developments is unfounded. Everything we export is subject to guarantees. And, besides, we are not alone. France, Russia, the United States, China, South Korea, curiously all established nuclear suppliers are present in Saudi Arabia, actively seeking to sell their products for peaceful uses of nuclear energy, on an expanding market like that of Saudi Arabia. The Saudis want to integrate the nuclear source into their energy mix in order to reduce the internal consumption of hydrocarbons in order to dedicate surpluses to exports.

– Do we then have the opportunity to export more to Saudi Arabia?

No doubts. But it takes a lot of effort and consistency. As in many other countries, small and medium-sized modular NPPs such as CAREM are of great interest. INVAP, CNEA, Chancellery and the Under Secretary for Nuclear Energy work as a team to further develop our nuclear markets.