Infrastructure aspects of the Brazilian Nuclear Program according to the regulatory guidelines NG-G-3.1 and NG-T-3.2 of the IAEA

The implementation and development of a nuclear program involve complex and inter-related issues that have to be taken into account for a considerably long period of time (of at least one century). In order to be successful, a country should, as it chooses to add nuclear power to its power generation structure, nationwide sustainable infrastructure during the stages that will be the building, operation, decommissioning, and discarding of the waste produced in such facilities. Although not a newcomer, Brazil has some priority areas amongst the 19 listed in the IAEA's NG-G-3.1 document (Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power) that deserve special attention and that could be improved. This work discusses four of these areas based on the IAEA's NG-T-3.2 (Evaluation of the Status of National Nuclear Infrastructure Development) document that evaluates the situation of a nuclear program through well established criteria. The areas below have been going through a self-evaluation process: site and supporting facilities, environmental protection and human resource development. The conclusion of this process is that Brazil has a growing nuclear program whose success depends on political and especially financial decisions. (author)