27 March 2026
Peru enacts law to promote nuclear power and small modular reactors
Peru enacted Law No. 32560 (Law) on March 22, 2026. The Law establishes a framework to diversify the country’s energy matrix by promoting nuclear energy development, deploying small modular reactors (SMRs), and potentially enabling the use of domestic uranium resources.
Under the Law, Peru’s Ministry of Energy and Mines, Ministry of Environment, and the Peruvian Institute of Nuclear Energy will jointly assess the feasibility of SMR projects in specific regions where deployment is viable, subject to existing environmental and nuclear safety regulations.
In addition, the Ministry of Energy and Mines will be tasked with promoting private investment in nuclear-based power projects under a free competition structure.
The Law requires SMR projects to incorporate public participation mechanisms at all stages, in line with Peru’s Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA). The requirement for environmental certification applicable to nuclear power projects shall be determined according to their classification in the official project list of Peru’s Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA).
Within 180 business days of the Law’s entry into force, the Ministry of Energy and Mines must submit a proposal to the Ministry of Environment to update the list of projects subject to environmental impact assessment, incorporating activities related to nuclear power generation.
The Law also amends Article 5 of Peru’s Electricity Concessions Act, establishing that nuclear power generation will be governed by Law No. 28028, which regulates the use of ionizing radiation sources, and its implementing regulations.
For more information, please contact the authors.
