Agence France-Presse,
SAO PAULO: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday said Brazil would revive its nuclear program after a 20-year hiatus, releasing funds to complete a nuclear submarine and the country's third atomic power plant.
Construction of the submarine and nuclear plant were stopped 20 years ago.
“If money was lacking, it won't be lacking now,” Lula said on visiting the Brazilian Navy's Technological Center in Sao Paulo.
“I've made a committment to provide the necessary funds so we can complete that project,” the president told reporters at the center, referring to the submarine.
He said finishing the nuclear submarine would cost an estimated 68 million dollars and take eight years.
“And who knows, with a little more (money), we may build it sooner, because its running late,” Lula said.
The president also confirmed that construction would resume for the Angra III nuclear plant in Rio de Janeiro state, after the National Committee on Energy Policy approved the project two weeks ago.
“We will complete Angra III, and if necessary, we'll go on to build more (nuclear plants) because it is clean energy and now proven to be safe,” Lula said.
“Nuclear energy has been tested and approved in Brazil. It is safe and we have the technology. So why not go for it?” Lula added.
