Land-Use Efficiency of Small Modular Reactors in Latin America: Implications for Energy System Planning Under Territorial Constraints

The spatial footprint of electricity generation is a critical yet often overlooked dimension of sustainable energy transitions—particularly in Latin America, where ecological sensitivity, contested land tenure, and socio-environmental conflicts shape infrastructure deployment. This study assesses the land-use intensity of electricity (LUIE) for small modular reactors (SMRs) and compares it with other low-carbon technologies promoted across the region. LUIE is expressed in hectares per terawatt-hour per year (ha/TWh/y), incorporating direct, indirect, and lifecycle land use.Technical specifications from leading SMR designs were compiled and normalized using adjusted capacity factors. Comparative data for solar PV, wind, geothermal, hydropower, biomass, natural gas, and large reactors were extracted from peer-reviewed sources. The analysis includes construction and operational footprints but excludes socio-political variables such as community resistance or expropriation.Results indicate that SMRs exhibit a low median LUIE (~8 ha/TWh/y), comparable in magnitude to conventional large reactors (7.1 ha/TWh/y), and substantially lower than solar PV (2,000 ha/TWh/y), wind (12,000 ha/TWh/y), and hydropower (650 ha/TWh/y). Designs utilizing reprocessed nuclear fuel may further reduce spatial demands. In a region where territorial constraints limit energy expansion, SMRs emerge as a spatially efficient option. Future research should incorporate empirical siting data and territorial risk assessments.