Nuclear energy in Brazil: regulation, corruption, and prospects for energy generation.

This article examines the historical development and regulatory environment of Brazil's nuclear energy sector, focusing on the transition from military to civilian control after re-democratization in the 1980s and the sector's role in diversifying Brazil's energy matrix with low-carbon power. It highlights the 2015 corruption scandal involving bribery, mismanagement, and cartel formation in the construction of the Angra 3 nuclear power plant, revealing systemic governance weaknesses and conflicts of interest among regulatory bodies, state-owned enterprises, and private contractors. The study compares Brazil's regulatory framework with international standards and proposes institutional reforms and enhanced corporate governance to increase transparency, accountability, and regulatory independence, aiming to prevent future corruption and support the sustainable development of nuclear energy in Brazil.