Argentina hopes to attract Big Tech with nuclear-powered AI data centers
a year ago
- #Artificial Intelligence
- #Argentina
- #Nuclear Energy
- Argentine President Javier Milei aims to make Argentina a global hub for nuclear energy and AI.
- The plan includes constructing small modular reactors (SMRs) to power AI data centers.
- Argentina could be the first country with a commercially available SMR, following China and Russia.
- Goldman Sachs highlights nuclear power as key to meeting AI-driven electricity demand.
- Big tech firms like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are investing in nuclear energy for data centers.
- Argentina's state-owned Invap patented the ACR-300 SMR, backed by an unnamed American investor.
- Milei met with tech leaders like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg to attract investments.
- Some scientists doubt the feasibility of Argentina's 2030 SMR target, citing lack of engineering details.
- The CAREM nuclear project, 85% complete, was halted due to funding cuts under Milei.
- Argentina plans to mine and export uranium, and build a nuclear-powered data center hub in Patagonia.
- Labor strikes and low salaries at CNEA pose challenges to the nuclear plan.
- SMRs could initially be used to power remote towns not connected to the national grid.