The dangers of privatization

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The Dangers of Privatization and the workers’ struggle

In this new episode of “En Code Rojo Podcast” we address a very relevant topic for energy sovereignty and technological development: nuclear energy. We interviewed Mariano Saleh, worker and delegate of Atucha, who tells us about the state of nuclear energy in the country and the advanced privatization of the Milei government, aligned with the interests of the United States and the IMF.

Argentina is an exceptional case in the region: it was the first Latin American country to have an operational nuclear power plant (Atucha 1, in 1974) and has managed to export reactors and knowledge of its own design to countries such as Congo, Peru and Australia. This development is sustained thanks to a vast training and knowledge infrastructure, which includes the Balseiro Institute, CNEA, UNSAM and Melillo. Today, the energy generated by its nuclear power plants (Atucha 1, Atucha 2 and Embalse) represents between 5% and 9% of total production.

The privatization advance seeks to dismantle this system, attacking its workers, who have suffered salary losses of up to 70% since the end of 2023. The conflict is part of a broader geopolitical dispute, where the United States seeks to sweep China out of the region and control resources. The Bases Law is the vehicle that enables the privatization of Nucleoeléctrica Argentina SA (NASA). NASA, created by Menem in the 90s, was separated from the CNEA, weakening the financing of future projects and forcing the CNEA to subsist by selling products. The current plan is to “sell the goose that lays the golden eggs” to extract as much profit as possible.

Deregulation in the nuclear sector is extremely dangerous. It is an industry that operates under strict international regimes and periodic audits to avoid accidents such as Fukushima or Chernobyl. These safeguards and contingency plans represent an obstacle (from the capitalist’s point of view) to being able to extract the greatest possible return, so if they are privatized it is to be expected that the new owners will begin to make cuts in those areas, endangering their workers and the rest of the population.

Security and comprehensive planning

In ecological terms, nuclear energy is inherently cleaner than that generated by fossil fuels. An Atucha nuclear power plant, which changes a fuel element every 1.3 days, generates 600 MW per hour; A thermal power plant of equal power consumes four trucks of diesel and four trucks of water per hour. In addition, coal generation produces more radiation in the environment and surrounding populations than a nuclear power plant.

The solution is through comprehensive energy planning, not governed by capitalist profit. Argentina has the potential to make a leap in nuclear energy, but requires a national plan that takes advantage of existing human and technical resources. This includes reversing the emptying of the Heavy Water Industrial Plant (PIAP) in Neuquén, abandoned more than 10 years ago, forcing the country to import worse quality heavy water. It also involves resuming the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, which could provide almost unlimited energy (although it was banned by powers such as the US on the grounds that it can be used to develop nuclear weapons).

Workers, despite wage pressures, are mobilizing and organizing in assemblies to defend not only their jobs, but the energy sovereignty of the nation. As Saleh said, it is imperative to give a voice to those who do not have one today.