Juragua Nuclear Power Plant - Background

Background

Cuba's interest in civil use of nuclear energy dated back to 1956, when Cuba and the United States signed an "Agreement for co-operation concerning civil uses of atomic energy". This agreement suggested the possibility of further cooperation extending to the design, construction, and operation of power producing nuclear reactors. The agreement was reached during Fulgencio Batista's regime, later overthrown as a result of the Cuban Revolution in 1959. The treaty was ultimately terminated during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962.

Russian-Cuban cooperation in nuclear energy dated back to January 1967, when the Soviet Union sponsored a photo exposition, "Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes", at the Cuban Academy of Sciences. Nine months later both countries reached an agreement to provide Cuba with a research reactor for experimental and teaching purposes, as well as assistance in assembling and operating the equipment. In 1975 Cuban and Russian officials signed treaties for "Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy" and the "Establishment of Direct Scientific-Technical Co-operation in the Field of the Uses of Nuclear Energy".

In 1976 Cuba and the Soviet Union signed an agreement to construct two 440-megawatt nuclear power reactors (VVER-440 V318) in the south central province of Cienfuegos, near Juragua. The original plan called for 12 reactors, four each at Juragua, Puerto Esperanza in the western part of the island, and Holguín, in the east. The project was ultimately reduced to two 440-megawatt nuclear power reactors, both at Juragua. Upon completion, the first reactor would have generated over 15% of Cuba's energy demands. The construction of these reactors was a priority for Cuba because of its dependence on imported oil.