Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Latin America

Amid a global push to reduce carbon emissions and transform energy systems, small modular reactors (SMRs) are being promoted as multifunctional, cheaper, safer, and more flexible than large reactors. They are also less risky for investors, more compatible with decentralized networks, and complementary to renewable energies. In Latin America, however, SMRs development is in its infancy and faces structural obstacles. This article reviews 22 publications focused on the region, systematizing key lines of research, gaps, and technological, institutional, epistemic, and sociopolitical challenges. The findings show a fragmented field concentrated in Argentina. A clear and contextualized regional agenda, stronger institutions, intersectoral alliances, and greater sustained attention to the social dimensions that shape public acceptance are proposed

Latin Americans · Modular construction · Modular design · Renewable energy · Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems · Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance