At least that's what the government hopes. So far, the power plant has been a public relations nightmare, delayed for more than a decade by cost overruns and safety concerns. Now, Angra 2 is being finished and is scheduled to go into operation in July. For workers, there is a sense of vindication.
Critics say Brazil is out of step in rediscovering nuclear power.
They note that no U.S. utility has ordered a reactor since the late 1970s and that Germany's new government and others in Europe are moving to phase out nuclear power. There's no place to put the waste, and the environmental impact report is vague. Westinghouse Corp. Right away there were problems. Angra 2's first foundation was built on crumbling stone instead of bedrock, and almost the entire budget went into sinking additional support columns. Angra 1 didn't inspire much confidence, either.