News and views: nuclear power in Brazil

No energy, whether renewable, clean or known by any other name can possibly be relied upon as the only solution for ensuring a supply of electricity compatible with a nation's economic and social development. Brazilian consumption and installed capacity of electric power generation per capita indices are still inadequate and below the world average-this crucial fact must be considered. It obliges Brazil to take the most advantage of all resources available to increase its electricity generation capacity as rapidly as possible, thereby enabling consumption to reach levels compatible with the quality of life the Brazilian population aspires to. The planning of a country's electric system requires efficient management of a diversified portfolio of energy sources. In Brazil, hydroelectricity will continue for many years yet to be the main component of its portfolio of electric power generation sources, but it must be supplemented by thermal sources- uranium, coal, biomass, natural gas, and oil by-products derived from petroleum-in this order of importance, keeping in mind aspects related to local availability, cost, environmental impacts, and use in other applications. (author)