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The Federal Government Postponed the Decision on the Resumption of Work on the Angra 3 Nuclear Plant, a Project Started More Than Four Decades Ago That Has Already Consumed Billions of Reais.
The decision on the resumption of work on the Angra 3 nuclear plant, on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro, has once again been delayed by the federal government.
The construction, which began more than 40 years ago, is 66% complete, but remains halted.
Meanwhile, experts and former Environment Ministers who are part of the Brazilian Antinuclear Network sent a letter to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) asking for the project to be definitively abandoned.
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Antinuclear Movement Calls for Definitive Cancellation of Angra 3
The Brazilian Antinuclear Network, made up of researchers, scientists, and former Environment Ministers, reaffirmed its position against nuclear energy and advocated for the reduction of the Brazilian nuclear program.
The main arguments include the limitation of nuclear waste deposits, the socio-environmental impacts of atomic energy, and the high costs of construction and maintenance of the plants.
Furthermore, the group points out that Angra 3 relies on technology considered outdated, with equipment designed decades ago that has not kept pace with advancements in the nuclear industry.
In January 2025, the entity sent an official letter to President Lula signed by 300 personalities, including three former Environment Ministers: Izabella Teixeira (2010-2016), José Carlos de Carvalho (2002-2003), and Carlos Minc (2008-2010).
The document argues that Brazil does not need nuclear energy, as it possesses abundant natural resources to meet its electricity demand without relying on this generation source.
History of Nuclear Energy in Brazil
Brazilian nuclear plants operate within the Almirante Álvaro Alberto Nuclear Center, located in Angra dos Reis (RJ). Currently, the country has two plants in operation and a third under construction:
- Angra 1 – Capacity of 640 megawatts (MW)
- Angra 2 – Capacity of 1,350 MW
- Angra 3 – Designed power of 1,405 MW
If completed, the Angra 3 plant could generate over 12 million megawatt-hours per year, which could supply around 4.5 million people.
However, the construction has faced successive halts since its inception in the 1980s.
In 2015, construction was halted due to corruption allegations investigated in Operation Lava Jato.
In 2022, a new attempt to resume work failed due to a lack of resources and difficulties in the project’s financial viability.
High Costs and Environmental Impacts Worry Experts
According to the UOL news portal, in addition to environmental concerns, experts warn that nuclear energy is more expensive for consumers.
Célio Bermann, a professor at the Energy and Environment Institute of the University of São Paulo (USP) and a member of the Brazilian Antinuclear Network, explains that energy generated by nuclear fission increases the average electricity tariff in the country.
According to him, nuclear energy costs up to three times more than alternatives like wind and solar.
The professor also emphasizes that the nuclear sector is stagnant worldwide, except for a few countries still investing in this type of energy: China, India, and Russia, followed by South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
In contrast, in Germany, the last three nuclear plants were shut down in 2023, completely ending the use of this technology in the country.
Currently, there are 447 nuclear reactors in operation worldwide, spread across 30 countries, according to data from the World Nuclear Association.
President of Eletronuclear Responds to Criticism and Defends Angra 3
On the other hand, the president of Eletronuclear, Raul Lycurgo Leite, contests the criticisms and claims that nuclear energy is prejudged.
According to him, the negative perception of the technology was influenced by cinematic productions that exaggerate the risks of nuclear energy.
“Hollywood has done a lot of harm to nuclear. It always portrayed it as a catastrophe. They create a lot of nuclear terrorism, but if we look at the incidents, the only serious one that occurred was Chernobyl”, he argues.
Leite emphasizes that there has never been any serious incident at Angra 1 and 2, nor any situation that endangered workers, the population, or the environment.
He also downplays the risk of radiation, stating that “people are more exposed to radiation when flying on airplanes or sunbathing on the beach in Guarapari, Espírito Santo, than inside a nuclear plant”.
The executive of Eletronuclear also counters the claim that Angra 3 has outdated technology.
According to him, the plant will use the same type of PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor), which is the most used model in the world.
Additionally, he states that a large portion of the equipment has already been purchased, while the monitoring and control systems will still be acquired, ensuring they are not outdated.
Financial Deadlock and Future of Angra 3
The cost to complete Angra 3 is estimated at R$ 23 billion, while abandoning the project would generate a loss of R$ 21 billion.
The federal government is discussing the issue in the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE), responsible for advising the President of the Republic in the formulation of policies for the sector.
So far, the government has not made a definitive decision on resuming the work.
However, experts warn that, regardless of the outcome, the cost will be borne by the public coffers.
“The taxpayer pays the bill”, reinforces the president of Eletronuclear.
The forecast is that the plant may enter commercial operation only in 2031, if construction is resumed in the coming years.
Between 2009 and 2023, R$ 12 billion has already been invested in the construction of the unit, which remains one of the most controversial and expensive projects in the history of Brazil’s energy infrastructure.
“Articulação Antinuclear Brasileira” e cada uma 🤦