23-10-2002 – ANGRA-3 to be completed by Brazil : Brazil Takes Key Step Towards Completing New Power Reactor Brazil\u2019s outgoing government has taken a key step towards authorising completion of the unfinished third unit at the country\u2019s Angra nuclear power plant site… <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The CNPE said Eletronuclear should \u201ctake the measures necessary for the restart of the Angra-3 project\u2026 having as a reference the plant\u2019s start-up in November 2008.\u201d<\/p>\n
It pointed out that the current 10-year national electricity sector development plan foresaw \u201cadequate conditions for the exploitation (use) of the electric energy produced by Angra-3 in 2009\u201d, and said Eletronuclear should therefore take the following additional steps:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Start the site selection process, together with Brazil\u2019s atomic energy commission (CNEN), for a final repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste \u201cfor the three plants\u201d.
\u2022 Take all necessary measures to ensure an environmental permit for Angra-3 can be granted.
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n