Brazil's Eletronuclear narrows search for Angra 3 partner

Brazil's Eletronuclear has narrowed its search for a partner in the troubled Angra 3 nuclear power project to three foreign groups, the state-run utility said on Wednesday.

Companies from China, France and Russia are in advanced talks for a contract to complete work on the 1.4GW plant, according to Eletronuclear CEO Bruno Campos.

Construction at the Angra 3 site in Rio de Janeiro state was halted in 2015 after the project became a target of the Lava Jato corruption probe.

SEE BNamericas' risk analysis of the Angra 3 project

The government says work could resume next year, if operator Eletronuclear - a subsidiary of federal holding company Eletrobras - can attract new investors.

"A partnership is the most viable option to resume and conclude the Angra 3 works," Campos was quoted as saying by the government's Agência Brasil news service.

"We are quite advanced in our [talks] and a decision will be made in conjunction with Eletrobras in the next few months," he added.

Campos said Eletronuclear would maintain a majority stake in the project, which is around two thirds complete.

"We must finish the project to mark a new phase in the development of nuclear energy in Brazil," he said. "Only then can we think about expanding our nuclear program."