Angra Nuclear Power Plant

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Data
Angra Nuclear Power Plant

Country	Brazil
Operator	Eletrobrás Termonuclear S.A. - Eletronuclear
Built	1971
Start of commercial operation	January 1, 1985
Reactors
Reactors active	2 (2,007 MW)
Reactors planned	1 (1,350 MW)
Power
Total power generation in 2006	12,983 GWh
Average annual generation (last 5 yrs)	11,712 GWh
Net generation	105,963 GWh
Other details
As of July 22, 2007

Angra Nuclear Power Plant is Brazil's sole nuclear power plant. It is located at the Central Nuclear Almirante Álvaro Alberto (CNAAA) on the Itaorna Beach in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It consists of two Pressurized water reactors, Angra I, with a net output of 657 MWe^[1], first connected to the power grid in 1982 and Angra II, with a net output of 1350 MWe ^[2], connected in 2000. Work on a third reactor, Angra III, with a projected output of 1350 MWe^[3], began in 1984, was halted, and is expected to start again in late 2007 or early 2008.^[4]

Angra I was purchased from Westinghouse of the USA, and the purchase did not include the transfer of sensitive reactor technology. As a result, Angra II was built with German technology, as part of a comprehensive nuclear agreement between Brazil and West Germany signed by President Ernesto Geisel in 1975. The complex was designed to have three PWR units with a total outpout of circa 3000MWe, and was to be the first of 4 nuclear plants that would be built up to 1990.

The complex has also been routinely plagued by malfunctions, shutdowns and spillages, the most recent of which occurred in 2001, when 150 liters of radioactive water spilled into the ocean after a rupture in one of the containment tanks. The equipment for Angra III, the last phase of the complex, was purchased in 1995 but has been in storage ever since, consuming 50 million dollars a year in maintenance costs.

Though the government of President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva has repeatedly stated its intention to build Angra III and complete the project, it is highly unlikely that this will happen before the end of the decade. The negative results of Angra have caused the shelving of all other projected nuclear plants in Brazil, (Iguape, Peruíbe and São Sebastião).

The complex is administrated by Eletronuclear, a state company with the monopoly in nuclear power generation in Brazil. The complex employs some 3000 people, and generates another 10000 indirect jobs in Rio de Janeiro state.

The problems with Angra I, II and III constructions go deep in the Brazilian society that is in general very aware of the environmental impact and potential danger caused by industrial development such as this. Many also think that the choice of location for the power plants was very poor. Angra dos Reis city and its neighbors are composed of medium high and high income population, its economy relies in great part on tourism and above all the region is regarded by many as a sanctuary for marine life.

This creates a strong opposition from environmentalists and public in general that sees the project as a menace for the region's economy, ecosystem and well being of its residents. Several protests and statements from all levels of the Brazilian society including known artists and celebrities have caught the attention of politicians that have the power to halt or at least slow down the construction and the use of the power plants.