Canada-based Candu Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) of Argentina to produce heavy water* for existing Candu nuclear power plants and potential new units.

The company, a subsidiary of AtkinsRéalis, the original equipment manufacturer of the government of Canada-owned Candu nuclear reactor technology, said the MOU provides for the restart of an industrial heavy water plant in Neuquén, Argentina, along with the long-term acquisition of its heavy water output.

The Neuquén plant, in western Argentina, is owned by CNEA. It was originally commissioned around 30 years ago and has supplied Argentina’s Candu 6 plant at the Embalse nuclear station, as well as exported heavy water to various countries.