Brazil’s Eletronuclear has decided to extend the deadline for responses to the consultation on the proposed bidding contract for completing the Angra 3 project by 45 days.
Current Progress of Angra 3
Angra 3 is presently around 65% complete. The delay is attributed to the substantial and diverse contributions received during the public consultation.
Eletronuclear views the engagement of interested parties in the bidding process positively and stresses that the extension does not affect the company’s overall planning.
Role of Public Consultation
The public consultation, supported by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), aimed to gather suggested improvements to the proposed service parameters, including Engineering, Procurement, and Construction.
The results of this consultation are now scheduled to be published by 19 August.
Awaiting Financial Study
The company is also waiting for a study by BNDES on the likely finances of the completed nuclear unit.
This study will inform the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the National Energy Policy Council as they decide whether to approve the project and determine the proposed tariff for the electricity generated by Angra 3.
Earlier this year, a Federal Audit Court analysis suggested that “charges to consumers will be much higher if the construction of Angra 3 continues than if the project is abandoned.” Eletronuclear disputed this analysis and highlighted the broader economic and employment benefits from the nuclear generation sector.
Brazil’s Nuclear Reactors
Brazil currently has two reactors, Angra 1 and Angra 2, which generate about 3% of the country’s electricity. The Angra 3 project, designed to feature a Siemens/KWU 1405 MW pressurised water reactor, began in 1984 but was halted two years later before significant construction began.
The project was revived in 2006, with first concrete poured in 2010. However, a corruption investigation into government contracts led to another suspension in 2015 when the project was 65% complete.
Construction resumed in November 2022, with Eletronuclear initially aiming to start operations by the end of 2026.
Recent Construction Challenges
Work was halted again in April 2023 due to disputes with the municipality of the City of Angra dos Reis. These disputes revolved around agreements relating to “environmental compensation” payments and changes to the granted planning permission.