Brazil’s mines and energy ministry is nearly finished with the country’s 2050 national energy plan (PNE), which will include the construction of new nuclear power plants, local newspaper Valor Econômico reported Wednesday.
The story quoted the ministry’s executive secretary, Luiz Eduardo Barata, as saying “the PNE 2050 is in its conclusion stage, and will surely contemplate the construction of new nuclear units.”
Speaking at an industry event in Rio de Janeiro, Barata said the conclusion is pending determining the locations and the number of new nuclear plants the government wants to have by 2050. However, no details were given.
The Brazilian government has identified 21 potential locations for the installation of four new nuclear power plants by 2030, at a combined cost of $20 billion, as part of the current energy plan, Kallanish Energy learns.
Meanwhile, industry sources argue PNE 2030 is obsolete, with the country planning on building another eight plants between 2030 and 2050.
“We understand, and the numbers show, that nuclear energy is indeed competitive nowadays. There’s no reason for us not to continue investing in this technology. [The technology] is competitive and features low carbon [emissions],” added Barata.
Brazil has two operating nuclear plants – Angra 1 and Angra 2 – with a combined capacity of 1,990 megawatts (MW). A third project, Angra 3, is slated to begin operations by the end of 2020. Construction of the 1,405 MW plant has been halted since September. (See related story.)
