Brazil, US Sign Nuclear Energy Cooperation Agreements

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Brazilian Association for the Development of Nuclear Activities (ABDAN) and the Nuclear Energy Institute of the United States (NEI) signed a memorandum of understanding during the Brazil-USA Energy Forum on Monday, February 3rd. In the presence of Brazil’s Energy Minister, Bento Albuquerque, and US Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, a letter of intent was also signed between Eletronuclear and the US company Westinghouse, specialized in nuclear energy.

The document signed by the two companies seeks to strengthen cooperation to ensure the renewal of licenses and the long-term operation of the Angra 1 nuclear power plant, which may have its useful life extended from 40 to 60 years. The agreement between the Brazilian association and the American institute seeks advances in areas such as nuclear safety.

In a statement to the press, the American Secretary said that Brazil and the United States are starting a close working relationship. “The American energy industry is ready and excited to work with Brazil,” Brouillette said. According to the him, the talks also included regulatory issues.

Brouillette advocated clarity of rules and transparency, and stressed that there have been modernizations in Brazil’s energy legislation. “We will continue to support these efforts in every way we can,” the secretary said. He added that the agreements signed are a significant step toward increasing the United States’ presence and investments in the Brazilian nuclear sector.

The Brazilian Energy Minister stressed that the forum fulfills a mission assigned by Presidents Jair Bolsonaro and Donald Trump and establishes a work plan between Brazil and the United States in the sector, in addition to the commitment to monitor the progress of this planning with regular meetings at international forums.

“What is the purpose of this cooperation? To build a better business environment for investments in the oil and gas sector, whether in international trade or in the holding of auctions that we have been carrying out with predictability here in Brazil. Furthermore, in order to allow regulatory and legal security for these investors, which is part of what we intend to establish as a business environment,” said Bento Albuquerque, noting that Brazil and the United States have much room to cooperate, both having recently become net oil exporters. “In this partnership with the United States, we seek to reduce any uncertainties that may, perhaps, exist in auctions”.

The cooperation between Brazil and the United States in the forum also included the American experience with shale gas, an activity for which Bento Alburquerque advocated regulatory support. “The United States has advanced greatly in recent years in this sector, and this has changed the US economy, particularly in the industrial sector. And we hope that Brazil can also benefit from this unconventional type of gas and oil production activity,” said the minister.

Source: Agência Brasil