Brazil Ready to Give Angra 3 the Traditional Thumbs-Up

May 25 (LPAC)--Plans for Angra 3 could be approved at a meeting of the National Energy Policy Council in June, and Odair Goncalves, head of the government's nuclear energy commission, is confident that the plant will get the go-ahead despite opposition from Environment Minister Marina da Silva. Angra 3 was originally planned as a twin unit to Angra 2, a 1270 MWe pressurized water reactor (PWR) which started up in 2000. Parts for the reactor had been purchased before the project was 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 $3.5 billion to complete, World Nuclear News reported.

There is a growing evidence of a nuclear-related collaboration between Brazil, India and South Africa. All three nations have advanced nuclear power generation capabilities. Brazil President Lula da Silva will be in India in early June and a discussion on commercial nuclear collaboration is in the top of the agenda, New Delhi indicated.

The country's two operating nuclear power units at Angra have a combined generating capacity of 1896 MW and provide about 3% of its electricity. Brazil has its own uranium resources and has been mining uranium for use in its power plants since 1982 The Brazilian government is planning to approve the construction of up to eight new nuclear power plants by 2030. The government is also likely soon to approve the construction of a third reactor at the existing Angra site.