German-Brazilian nuclear deal. [1975 partnership now seen as counterproductive for Brazil]
Examination of the arguments in favor of the nuclear deal with West Germany and the resulting program suggests that revisions of both are in order to make them more compatible with Brazil's national interests. The deficiencies of current policy appear to be too weighty and numerous to be ignored. Sooner or later the government will have to move toward adjusting its nuclear agreement with West Germany, if not for the reasons discussed here then for lack of capital. Current estimates of the nuclear package lie in the range of $25 to $30 billion, compared to an initial projection of about $5 billion. The deal has become so expensive that it would draw capital from the hydropower and alcohol programs essential for the short and medium-term energy needs of the country. Mr. Krugman feels the Brazilian government should hold off on further nuclear contracts. And it should thoroughly reassess what Brazil's nuclear energy and technology requirements are and how to meet them. There are indications that the reassessment process is already underway. As long as the German nuclear industry depends on the sale of technology to Brazil, the Brazilian government will have considerable bargaining power to enforce further changes in the deal. If this power is used wisely, the result could be cooperation between the two countries toward nuclear options that are consistent with Brazil's energy and development needs.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Sao Paulo, Brazil
- OSTI ID:
- 6651887
- Journal Information:
- Bull. At. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 37:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
BRAZIL
BILATERAL AGREEMENTS
NUCLEAR POWER
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
NUCLEAR INDUSTRY
ALCOHOL FUELS
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENERGY SUPPLIES
AGREEMENTS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
EUROPE
FUELS
INDUSTRY
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
LATIN AMERICA
POWER
SOUTH AMERICA
SYNTHETIC FUELS
WESTERN EUROPE
290600* - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy
210800 - Nuclear Power Plants- Economics