23-10-2002 – ANGRA-3 to be completed by Brazil : Brazil Takes Key Step Towards Completing New Power Reactor Brazil’s outgoing government has taken a key step towards authorising completion of the unfinished third unit at the country’s Angra nuclear power plant site…
Brazil Takes Key Step Towards Completing New Power Reactor Brazil’s outgoing government has taken a key step towards authorising completion of the unfinished third unit at the country’s Angra nuclear power plant site.
The National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE) decided at a meeting earlier this month to authorise nuclear operating company Eletronuclear to take further specific actions that could pave the way for a possible restart of the Angra-3 construction project next year.
However, a final decision whether to proceed with the project will have to be taken by the new government, following submission of an interim report by Eletronuclear in May of next year. The new government will take office in January, following presidential elections this weekend.
The CNPE said Eletronuclear should “take the measures necessary for the restart of the Angra-3 project… having as a reference the plant’s start-up in November 2008.”
It pointed out that the current 10-year national electricity sector development plan foresaw “adequate conditions for the exploitation (use) of the electric energy produced by Angra-3 in 2009”, and said Eletronuclear should therefore take the following additional steps:
• Start the site selection process, together with Brazil’s atomic energy commission (CNEN), for a final repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste “for the three plants”.
• Take all necessary measures to ensure an environmental permit for Angra-3 can be granted.
• Submit a financing proposal for Angra-3 construction to the CNPE, including provisions for payment of interest and amortisation of debts during the first years of operation.
The CNPE also instructed Eletronuclear to take a number of concrete steps by May 2003 in fields including preparatory engineering services, drafting of bids, contract negotiations, negotiations with banks and credit agencies, and environmental and nuclear licensing.
Source: Eletronuclear
Editor: Chris Lewis
