Eletronuclear: Energia Nuclear no Brasil

Outlook of Nuclear Power in Brazil

ELETRONUCLEAR

http://www.eletronuclear.gov.br
Meeting of the Americas




1. Introduction
With an area of about 8.5 million km2, occupying over half the South American Continent, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world (Figure-1). Brazil, with an economy bigger than China’s (GDP of over US$ 800 billion) is one of the ten largest economy of the world(Figure-2). The Brazilian power system with a total installed capacity of some 60,000 MW is also one of the ten largest of the world(Figure-3 and Figure-5). However, due to largest regional economic differences and development patterns the electricity per capita consumption is only 1,820 kWh/inh, below the world average and well below those of developed countries(Figure-2 and Figure-4) . Brazilian population (161 million) is larger than Russia’s. A strong plan for electricity development in the country is one of the main tools which is used by the govenment to decrease large regional differences. Although modest in the short term, nuclear power is part of this development plan.
2. Power Sector
Installed capacity in the country was 59,247 MW by end of 1997, 91% being of hydro power plant(Figure-5). With one unit in operation (Angra 1) with 657 MW, nuclear power accounts with 1% of total installed capacity in the country. Although modest in the country perspective, this nuclear plant is very important for the local supply of the state of Rio de Janeiro, the second most important of the country, in terms of GDP formation. Angra 1 is responsible for supply some 15% of the state needs and plays a fundamental role as far as the stability of the electric grid is concerned. With the second nuclear unit which will start operation next year (Angra 2), with 1,309 MW this situation will improve considerably. Electricity demand has been growing much faster in the country than primary energy and the economy (gross domestic product) (Figure-9 and figure-10). This behaviour is expected to continue in the medium term. Present electricity supply situation forecasts high risks of energy deficits in the short term (Figure-6)
The present ten-years plan envisages an installed capacity of some 72,000 by 2000, 84% being of hydro power plants and some 3% by nuclear power plants (Angra 1 and Angra 2) (Figure-7). By 2007 some 96,000 MW should be installed, 82% in hydro plants and 3,5% in nuclear power plants (Angra 1, 2 & 3-3,275 MW) (Figure-8). Angra nuclear power plant is situated in the load center of the main developed region of the country, some 130 km from Rio de Janeiro, 220 km from S.Paulo and 350 km from Belo Horizonte(Figure-13).