In Search of Technological Independence. The Trajectory of the Empresa Nuclear Argentina de Centrales Eléctricas S. A., 1980-1996

Abstract

The Empresa Nuclear Argentina de Centrales Eléctricas S. A. (Enace S. A.) was a consortium created in 1980 between the Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica and Siemens Kraftwerk Union. Following the guidelines of "technological independence", the joint venture seeked to operate as an Industrial Architect aimed at the construction of Nuclear Power Plants, as well as promote the training of national personnel, increase the participation of local industry and acquire know-how on reactor engineering and design. However, as neoliberal policies began to be implemented, the company lost its original purpose and was finally dissolved in 1996. Given that historiography on the subject is scarce, this work aims to offer a general approach through the analysis of the available sources.