The Brazilian media reported yesterday that Brazil wants to build seven new nuclear powerplants. What makes this interesting is that Brazil is offering only limited inspection to the IAEA of their current nuclear facilities. While there is some small speculation they may be interested in a nuclear weapon, the IAEA has confirmed that no nuclear material is being diverted from power generation into other projects.
The reason for limiting the inspections is most likely that Brazil obtained some of their equipment on the black market and do not want that to become public. Still bad for international nuclear cooperation, but much more benign than creating a weapon. Still it sets a bad precedent that a country like Iran may try to follow.
Also, as long as I'm talking about Brazil, BBC has an article on Brazil's integration and leadership in the hemisphere and will apparently have a special report on Brazil later this week.
1 comments:
Well, I don't believe that Brazil has a breeder reactor, so the spent fuel will probably be disposed of somewhere (God only knows where. Brazil doesn't have Yucca Mountain either). I also don't think that they are interested in creating weapons.
Angra I and II, however, have been major white elephants loaded with problems. IIRC they were among the Pharaonic projects created by the military and they have never functioned to their potential.
Brazil has also relied most heavily on hydroelectric projects. great until you have a drought which they did about five-six years ago resulting in major blackouts and controlled blackouts. With as many people living near the coast, they should really make for a greater push for wind power. In any event, wehn I retire down there in five-six years, I plan to bring some solar panels with me.
Too bad the BBC World Service doesn't broadcast to North America any more.
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