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Renewal reinforces Eletronuclear's commitment to nuclear energy in Brazil and projects modernization of the plant by 2044.
Eletronuclear secured, this Thursday (21), the renewal of the operating license of the Angra 1 plant for another 20 years. With this, the first Brazilian nuclear plant will be able to operate until December 2044. The decision was officialized by the National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) and marks an important step in extending the useful life of one of the largest energy generation projects in the country.
A renewal will be accompanied by a robust investment of R$3,2 billion, which will be carried out between 2023 and 2027. The financial contribution includes four annual installments of approximately R$720 million until 2026 and R$320 million in the last year. This resource will be directed to the complete modernization of the plant, an essential step to guarantee its efficiency and safety.
Modernization and achievements of Eletronuclear
The process to expand Angra 1 operations began in 2019, when Eletronuclear officially requested renewal. Since then, the company has dedicated an exclusive technical group to meet regulatory requirements and make significant improvements. This renewal is considered a milestone in Eletronuclear's strategic projects, which also prioritize the resumption of construction of the Angra 3 plant.
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According to Raul Lycurgo, president of Eletronuclear, the hard work of the last five years reflects the company's commitment to nuclear energy in Brazil. He compared Angra 1 to plants in the United States, which operate with the same characteristics and have already received licenses to operate for up to 80 years. “This achievement demonstrates our technical capacity and long-term vision,” highlighted Lycurgo.
Angra 1: legacy and efficiency
In commercial operation since 1985, Angra 1 has a pressurized water reactor (PWR), the most common type of reactor used in nuclear power plants around the world. With a capacity of 640 megawatts, the plant is capable of meeting the consumption of a city of 2 million inhabitants, supplying energy to the national electrical system 24 hours a day.
In 2023 alone, Angra 1 generated 4,78 million MWh, with an impressive load factor of 88,24% over the last five years. This indicator places the plant among the most efficient in the world, operating, on average, 322 days per year at its maximum capacity.
Although the plant was acquired from the American Westinghouse as a closed package without technology transfer, Eletronuclear has managed to develop its own expertise over the decades. Today, the company uses efficiency indicators that are superior to similar plants, in addition to continually investing in technological modernization.
Energy for the future
The renewal of the Angra 1 license and the planning for the coming years reinforces Eletronuclear’s role in strengthening the nuclear energy sector in Brazil. With robust investments and a strategic vision, the company paves the way for a more sustainable, efficient and safe energy future.
