To guarantee the operation of the Angra 3 nuclear power plant in 2026, Eletronuclear and Eletrobras are working on a critical acceleration plan for the works while awaiting approval by the PPI board

While defining the business model for the completion of the Angra 3 nuclear power plant, Eletronuclear presents a critical acceleration plan for the plant's electromechanical assembly works, said this Monday the president of the state-owned company, Leonam Guimarães. Agreement between Eletronuclear and Westinghouse provides for completion of Angra 3 and construction of new plants

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According to the executive, Eletrobras's goal is to resume work in October 2021, to meet the schedule established by the government, with an expected start-up of operations in November 2026.

“What is currently being sought is to advance in the civil works and electromechanical assembly with companies contracted by Eletronuclear and maintaining the supplies considered critical, so that we do this work later this year, 2020, to be able to effectively sign the civil works and assembly electromechanical in early 2021, to effectively start concreting and assembly in October 2021, respecting the entry into operation in November 2026”, said Guimarães.

The BNDS interministerial committee has already prepared the business model, but it still depends on the approval by the Board of the Investment Partnerships Program (CPPI). According to him, this approval was scheduled for March, but was postponed due to the impact of the coronavirus.

The business model is fundamental to establish the public call for the definition of an eventual international partner to conclude the enterprise. According to Guimarães, the planned investment to complete the Angra 3 nuclear power plant is 14,5 billion reais.

Eletronuclear also has a debt of around 19 billion reais related to the construction of the Angra 3 nuclear power plant.

Accelerating the critical line should consume 1 billion reais in investments by the Eletrobras group. This amount is part of the state-owned company's business plan from 2020 to 2024.

The executive informed that Eletrobras is reassessing the business plan, due to the impacts of the pandemic, but even if there is a change in values, according to him, the strategy in relation to the critical line must be maintained.

The activities of the Life Extension Program (LTO) in Angra 1 were not interrupted during the coronavirus crisis.

The evolution of the works is considered crucial for the company, in order to guarantee the relicensing of the unit, in the life extension of Angra 1 for another 20 years.