Brazilian nuclear power plant halts operation

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian nuclear power plant Angra 2 had to stop operation on Monday afternoon due to a system failure, state-owned nuclear energy company Eletronuclear stated on Tuesday.

According to a communique from Eletronuclear, a malfunctioning in the engine's fluid control system caused the plant to cease its operation.

The engine was under repair, but the company did not say when the plant would resume operation.

Angra 2 produces 1,350 megawatts per hour to the country's integrated electrical system, more than twice of Angra 1's 657 megawatts per hour.

According to the federal government's National Operator Agency, the plant provided energy to the country's southern region, which depends much on its hydroelectric power to fight drought. However, the agency added Angra 2's suspension of power supply would not cause a blackout.

The operational Angra 2, Angra 1 and Angra 3 that is in construction and licensing phase are all located in the Southern coast of Rio de Janeiro state, close to a town called Angra dos Reis, with several tourist resorts and hotels nearby.

The Eletronuclear's communique said that the affected system is not related to any kind of radioactive material, and that there was no leak of radioactive material to internal or external surroundings.

However, local environmentalists have warned that a leak of radioactive material will cause an environmental catastrophe.