Completion of Brazil's Angra 3 recommended

26 June 2007

[Associated Press, 25 June; BBC, 26 June] Brazil's National Energy Policy Council has recommended the resumption of construction of the third reactor at the Angra nuclear power plant. It will send its recommendation to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who will make a final decision. He has often spoken in support of nuclear energy as a means of meeting Brazil's energy needs. However, there is no timetable for Lula's decision. Officials said approval of Angra 3 could herald the start of a wider nuclear project to construct up to eight reactors by 2030. Angra 3 was originally planned as a twin unit to Angra 2, a 1270 MWe pressurised water reactor (PWR) which started up in 2000. Construction of the third unit began in 1984. Parts for the reactor had been purchased before the project was later frozen due to a lack of funds, and over 70% of the equipment is already on site. It is estimated that the project will cost $3.6 billion to complete.

Further information

WNA's Nuclear Power in Brazil information paper

WNN: Brazil looks to new nuclear build