Nuclear energy in Brazil
Encyclopedia
Nuclear energy
accounts for about 3% of the Brazil
's electricity. It is produced by two pressurized water reactor reactors at Angra
, which is the country's sole nuclear power plant. Development of the third reactor began in 1984 but was halted in 1986. Restarting of construction was approved by the National Council for Energy Policy
in June 2007. On 31 May 2010, the National Nuclear Energy Commission
granted a licence for construction of the third reactor. Construction of the reactor with capacity of 1,270 MWe begun on 1 June 2010 and it should be operational by 2015. By 2025 Brazil plans to build seven more reactors. Uranium exploration, production and export in Brazil is under the state control through Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil although the government has announced it is ready to involve the private sector in the nuclear fuel industry.
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
accounts for about 3% of the Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
's electricity. It is produced by two pressurized water reactor reactors at Angra
Angra Nuclear Power Plant
Angra Nuclear Power Plant is Brazil's sole nuclear power plant. It is located at the Central Nuclear Almirante Álvaro Alberto on the Itaorna Beach in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil...
, which is the country's sole nuclear power plant. Development of the third reactor began in 1984 but was halted in 1986. Restarting of construction was approved by the National Council for Energy Policy
National Council for Energy Policy
The Brazilian National Council of Energy Policy was created by the law no. 9.478/1997 , also known as Petroleum Law. The council is the governmental organ of Brazil responsible for advise the Presidency of the Republic and has the objective of elaborating policies for the electric sector of the...
in June 2007. On 31 May 2010, the National Nuclear Energy Commission
National Nuclear Energy Commission
The National Nuclear Energy Commission is the Brazilian government agency responsible for the orientation, planning, supervision, and control of Brazil's nuclear program. The agency was created on 10 October 1956...
granted a licence for construction of the third reactor. Construction of the reactor with capacity of 1,270 MWe begun on 1 June 2010 and it should be operational by 2015. By 2025 Brazil plans to build seven more reactors. Uranium exploration, production and export in Brazil is under the state control through Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil although the government has announced it is ready to involve the private sector in the nuclear fuel industry.