Latin America is emerging as a critical player in the global nuclear energy revival, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) leading high-level discussions on nuclear development, financing, and innovation. The spotlight was on Brazil this week as it hosted the region’s flagship nuclear conference the Nuclear Trade and Technology Exchange (NT2E) organized by the Brazilian Association for the Development of Nuclear Activities (ABDAN).
At the event, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stressed the essential role of nuclear electricity in supporting economic growth, climate resilience, and energy security across the region.
“Electricity demand in Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to grow more than 2% annually,” said Grossi. “Meeting this challenge requires bold investment, especially as over 16 million people in the region still live without access to electricity.”
NT2E marked a pivotal moment in Latin America’s energy transition, highlighting the global momentum behind nuclear energy since the 2023 COP28 climate conference. There, world leaders embraced nuclear power as a key clean energy solution driving projections that global nuclear capacity could more than double by 2050 under IAEA’s high-growth scenario.
Regional Leaders and Newcomers Unite for Nuclear Future
Latin America’s nuclear push is led by established players Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico while newcomers like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia are now joining the fold. Director General Grossi’s recent agreements in Ecuador underscore the growing regional appetite for nuclear cooperation and infrastructure.
A key topic at NT2E was the potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are seen as particularly suitable for developing economies due to their scalability, affordability, and adaptability to smaller power grids.
“SMRs are changing the game worldwide,” said Julian Gadano, Director of the Nuclear Policy Programme at Argentina’s Global Foundation. “For Latin America, they offer a practical route to decarbonize and decentralize energy systems, while attracting venture capital.”
The IAEA hosted a dedicated workshop on SMRs at NT2E, addressing everything from technological readiness and regulation to market deployment. The discussions laid the groundwork for the next SMR School, set to be held in Buenos Aires from August 25–29, which aims to train the next generation of nuclear leaders from across Latin America.
Recognizing that technical innovation must be matched by financial strategy, the NT2E also focused heavily on funding nuclear expansion. The IAEA organized a panel on investment models, public-private partnerships, and policy frameworks needed to scale nuclear power.
“Nuclear power is at the nexus of clean energy, economic development, and climate action,” said ABDAN President Celso Cunha. “The NT2E is now a vital meeting ground for international cooperation and regional leadership.”
In Brazil, the future is already taking shape. The Angra Nuclear Power Plant’s first unit has received a 20-year life extension, and work is advancing on a third unit. With energy demand expected to grow by 3.5% annually, nuclear is becoming essential to Brazil’s decarbonization path.
The IAEA’s deepening role in global energy diplomacy was also evident in its contributions to the G20. Under Brazil’s presidency in 2024, the agency helped shape the Energy Transitions Working Group’s clean energy investment report. Now, under South Africa’s presidency in 2025, the IAEA is preparing new reports on nuclear in Africa and the coal-to-nuclear transition.
The agency will also participate in the upcoming G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy.
Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA Deputy Director General, summarized the global urgency: “From Asia to Latin America, the need for clean, firm power is now undeniable. Nuclear energy holds immense promise but that promise requires political will and public trust to be fulfilled.”
As Latin America embraces this nuclear renaissance, continued leadership from the IAEA and sustained regional collaboration could transform the continent into a clean energy powerhouse offering a model for sustainable development in the 21st century.