Brazil has taken a significant step in advancing its nuclear energy ambitions by launching an international tender to design a new uranium enrichment plant in Rio de Janeiro. The move is part of the country’s broader strategy to achieve greater self-sufficiency in nuclear fuel production and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. The state-run company Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) is spearheading the initiative, aiming to leverage Brazil’s vast uranium reserves, which rank among the largest in the world.
The tender attracted bids from major international players, including Russia’s Rosatom and China Nuclear Energy Industry Corp (CNEIC). Ultimately, Rosatom’s proposal was selected as the most attractive, leading to a contract worth approximately $40 million. Under this agreement, Rosatom will provide conversion and enrichment services for uranium mined in Brazil, with the enriched product destined for use in the Angra Nuclear Power Plant, located in Rio de Janeiro.
This development marks a crucial phase in Brazil’s nuclear program, which has seen renewed momentum in recent years. The first phase of the country’s enrichment plant, completed in late 2022, already supplies about 70% of the fuel needed for the Angra 1 reactor. The new plant, once operational, is expected to further boost Brazil’s capacity, enabling it to meet the full demand for Angra 1 and 2 by 2033 and for Angra 3 by 2037. This will significantly reduce Brazil’s dependence on imported enriched uranium and strengthen its position in the global nuclear sector.
Brazil’s commitment to expanding its nuclear capabilities is also seen as a move to diversify its energy matrix and support economic development. With only a fraction of its uranium reserves explored, the country has the potential to become a leading player in the global uranium market. The successful launch of this tender and the subsequent partnership with Rosatom are set to accelerate Brazil’s journey toward energy independence and technological advancement in the nuclear field.
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(Source: Nuclear Engineering International | World Nuclear News)
