
El Salvador continues to take steps toward developing nuclear energy as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the country’s energy security and sustainability. This was announced by Daniel Álvarez, director general of Energía, Hidrocarburos y Minas (DGEHM), following a meeting with Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), during the agency’s General Conference.
Álvarez thanked Grossi for the meeting and highlighted that the country is moving toward nuclear energy development with a long-term vision. He explained that El Salvador views this process as a decision regarding energy sovereignty, aimed at laying the groundwork for energy security and sustainability in the coming decades.
The official noted that the country has already taken concrete steps on this path, including the recent establishment of a specialized regulatory body. This entity is mandated to oversee nuclear safety and security, safeguards, and the supervision of activities related to this field.

According to Álvarez, El Salvador’s efforts are being carried out in coordination with the IAEA using the so-called “Milestone Approach”. This mechanism supports countries advancing their plans to develop nuclear energy programs by outlining the various stages and aspects that must be considered throughout the process.
The DGEHM Director General affirmed that El Salvador is undertaking this process with determination, transparency, and a forward-looking vision. In this regard, he emphasized the importance of maintaining constant coordination with the international agency throughout the different stages of the nuclear program’s development.
Rafael Mariano Grossi noted that El Salvador is laying the foundations for nuclear energy and that, during the IAEA General Conference, he and Álvarez reviewed the next steps regarding the country’s nuclear plans.

Grossi also highlighted El Salvador’s participation in the event focused on the progress and achievements of the IAEA’s Milestone Approach. Among the aspects mentioned is the establishment of the Salvadoran regulatory body and its mandate to ensure nuclear safety and security, safeguards, and oversight in accordance with international agency standards.
The IAEA Director General said that the institution is prepared to provide the necessary support as the program advances. Thus, El Salvador plans to continue working with the international agency across the various stages of a process aimed at laying the groundwork for nuclear energy development in the country.
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