Nuclear Industries of Brazil (INB – Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil) has signed a contract with the Ministry of Science Technology & Innovation (MCTI – Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação) and with the Financier of Studies and Projects (Finep – Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos) for the development and testing of critical technologies applicable to Nuclear Microreactors (MRN Microrreatores Nucleares) in Brazil.
The project, which is expected to last three years, represents a total investment of BRL 50mk ($9m) including a BRL30m economic grant from Finep, with resources from the National Fund for Scientific & Technological Development (FNDCT – Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), and BRL20m from the participating companies. INB will be responsible for the supply of nuclear fuel and specialised engineering services, as well as ensuring technical and administrative support at all stages of the project.
“This is a historic milestone for the Brazilian nuclear sector,” said INB President Adauto Seixas. “INB reinforces its vocation not only as a nuclear fuel producer, but also as a technology-based, strategic company and protagonist in the development of innovative solutions for the country. Nuclear microreactors have enormous potential to bring clean, safe and sustainable energy to remote regions, as well as meet industrial, defence and national energy security demands.”
The project brings together, in addition to INB, research centres, universities and reference Brazilian companies, such as the Institute of Energy & Nuclear Research (Ipen – Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares), Amazul, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG – Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC – Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina), National Institute of Telecommunications (Inatel – Instituto Nacional de Telecomunicações), and Institute of Nuclear Engineering (IEN – Instituto de Engenharia Nuclear), among others.
The Director of Nuclear Fuel at INB, Reinaldo Gonzaga noted that the participation of INB is crucial to enable the most critical stages of technological development. “We are talking about a technology that could revolutionise distributed power generation in Brazil, and INB will be at the forefront of this process, contributing its know-how in nuclear engineering and fuel manufacturing.”
INB said nuclear microreactors are considered a key factor the energy transition, offering clean, scalable and high-security solutions for electricity generation, heat production, hydrogen and other strategic applications.
