Friday, August 25 2006 17:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Buenos Aires: Argentina plans to invest $3.5-billion in the nation's nuclear programme over the next eight years, confirming earlier reports that the nation will focus on boosting its nuclear capability. Planning minister Julio De Vido announced Wednesday that the total investment will include $583.3-million to complete the nation's third atomic power plant, Atucha II. The move confirmed reports earlier this week in the newspaper Clarin that Argentina will renew its nuclear power efforts. Construction of Atucha II began 25 years ago. The plant will have an output of 750 megawatts. The output of another atomic power plant, Embalse, is also set to increase, and planning is set to begin for construction of a fourth plant with a 1,000 megawatt capacity, according to the La Nacion newspaper. Argentina will also reportedly resume uranium enrichment after international pressure led to the cessation of the programme in the 1980s, Clarin reported earlier this week. The country's gas and oil reserves are nearly used up, and experts warn of shortages in the wake of booming economic growth of the past years and lagging investments in energy provision. "The environmental organisation Greenpeace has criticised the plans, saying atomic energy is unnecessary to solve the country's energy problems. Instead the nation should invest in wind power," Greenpeace said.