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DE RUEHLI #2788 3531157
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R 181157Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7240
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHPD/AMCONSUL PONTA DELGADA 0531

UNCLAS LISBON 002788 
 
SIPDIS 
 
COMMERCE DEPT FOR SLOPP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG TRGY BEXP BTIO PGOV PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: NUCLEAR ENERGY OVERVIEW 
 
REF: STATE 127423 
 
OVERVIEW OF CIVIL NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAM 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶1.  The following presents the information requested reftel 
regarding civilian nuclear energy in Portugal, provided by 
Teresa Tavares, Deputy for International Relations at the 
Ministry of Science and Technology, and Bento Morais 
Sarmento, Deputy Director of the General Directorate of 
Energy and Geology (DGEG). 
 
¶2.  Portugal does not have a civilian nuclear power program 
or significant related facilities and has no plans to develop 
them.  Portugal does operate a light-water pool reactor for 
research purposes only. 
 
¶3.  The Minister of Economy, currently Manuel Pinho, is 
responsible for nuclear policy in Portugal.  The Minister for 
Health, currently Ana Jorge, is responsible for radiation 
protection issues.  The Minister of Environment, currently 
Franciso Nunes Correia, is responsible for uranium mining, 
reclamation, and related activities.  The Minister for 
Science and Technology, currently Mariano Gago, is 
responsible for nuclear energy policy through the 
Technological and Nuclear Institute (ITN). 
 
¶4.  Nuclear activities in Portugal are governed by a series 
of laws, regulations, and decrees, and responsibility for 
these is shared by the appropriate Ministries listed in para 
¶3.  DGEG, under the Minister of Economy, is responsible for 
licensing nuclear fuel cycle facilities and for the transfer 
of nuclear fuel on national territory and between Portugal 
and other EU states.  ITN is responsible for the evaluation 
and inspection of security conditions regarding nuclear fuel 
transport. 
 
¶5.  Portugal has not enacted specific nuclear third party 
liability legislation, but Portugal is a Contracting Party to 
the Paris Convention. 
 
¶6.  There is no significant nuclear-related manufacturing 
base in Portugal. 
 
¶7.  Due to the limited nuclear energy research activity in 
Portugal, the nuclear trained workforce is small, with no 
plans for expansion. 
 
OPPORTUNITIES FOR U.S. INDUSTRY 
------------------------------- 
¶8.  Portugal has no current or anticipated nuclear-related 
tenders. 
 
¶9.  There are no nuclear sector opportunities foreseen for 
U.S. industry. 
 
FOREIGN COMPETITORS 
------------------- 
¶10.  There is no significant engagement by nuclear supplier 
countries in Portugal. 
STEPHENSON