El Salvador is beginning the international assessment of its infrastructure for the development of nuclear energy.

El Salvador is exploring the feasibility of incorporating nuclear energy into its electricity grid, with the support of OIPEN and CEL. (CEL) El Salvador took a key step towards its energy future with the start of the first international assessment of its nuclear infrastructure, conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This process, considered by authorities as a milestone in the country's energy history, marks the formal beginning of the evaluation to enable the development of a nuclear program for peaceful purposes. The mission, coordinated through the Organization for the Implementation of the Nuclear Energy Program (OIPEN), seeks to analyze the feasibility of introducing nuclear energy into the Salvadoran grid. The president of the Executive Hydroelectric Commission of the Lempa River (CEL), Daniel Álvarez, highlighted the scope of this stage. "This mission does not imply the immediate construction of a nuclear power plant. It is a phase of evaluation and strategic planning of our nuclear program, complying with international standards of the IAEA," he said. His statements express the caution and gradual approach that the government has adopted regarding the introduction of nuclear energy in the country. With this initiative, El Salvador will be able to diversify its energy matrix. (Photo courtesy of DELSUR) The assessment process, known as the INIR mission, comprises a comprehensive diagnosis of the national infrastructure. According to authorities, the objective is to facilitate the transition to a nuclear program that meets the highest standards of technological safety, regulation, and sustainability recognized internationally. During this mission, IAEA experts will focus on several fundamental aspects: the legal and regulatory framework, the institutional capacity of the State, nuclear safety and radiological protection, as well as the training of specialized human resources. "El Salvador continues to advance towards energy independence," CEL emphasized in official publications. The mission allows the country to move towards a second phase of its nuclear program, reaffirming El Salvador's commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the pursuit of a modern and independent electricity system. Institutional coordination is essential in this process. The effort involves different government entities, such as the Ministries of Environment, Finance, Education, Housing, and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Water and Civil Protection Authority. This coordination, according to CEL, reflects the State's commitment to the highest international standards before the IAEA. The nuclear assessment phase includes a diagnosis of infrastructure, nuclear safety, and the training of specialized human resources. (CEL) The international context has been crucial in this progress. On March 10, El Salvador signed an agreement with the United States for the construction of its first nuclear power plant. The memorandum of understanding was signed during a meeting at the United States Nuclear Energy Institute, with the aim of strengthening technical cooperation and the development of regulatory capabilities for the Salvadoran nuclear sector. The agreement stipulates that the country's first nuclear power plant will be ready within seven years, which would make El Salvador the first country in Central America to operate a plant of this type and the fourth in Latin America, after Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. The agreement also establishes the transfer of technical information and the training of Salvadoran personnel in nuclear matters. The document, signed under the framework of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, opens the door to the operation of a nuclear power plant by 2030, with a projected capacity of 100 megawatts and the generation of up to 26% of the national electricity by 2050. The agreement includes the training of approximately 400 specialists and the development of a robust regulatory framework. The coordination between multiple government entities reflects El Salvador's commitment to international standards of nuclear safety and sustainability. (CEL) The signing of the agreement and the start of the INIR mission reflect the Salvadoran government's commitment to diversifying its energy matrix and strengthening national energy security. The participation of international organizations and cooperation with the United States seek to ensure compliance with the highest standards of safety, sustainability, and transparency in the development of the nuclear program. Thus, El Salvador begins a stage of international review that could transform its energy matrix and bring it closer to countries in the region with nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, under the guidance and support of international organizations and strategic partners.