Rio de Janeiro’s Angra 1 and 2 have been shut down following a transformer fire.

The fault on the Siemens built transformer, linked to Angra 2, tripped the plants automatically. Angra 1 is expected to begin operating shortly although Angra 2 could remain offline until January if it is necessary to replace the entire transformer.

The two plants, located 180km south of Rio, collectively generate some 1500MWe. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.