N U C L E A R E N E R G Y

Nuclear Power: Is Africa Ready?

AUTHOR: David Jarrett Editor@ RDJ Publishing and RDJ Group ChiefExecutiveOfficer

(supercritical water or carbon dioxide)

Nuclear power is not new in Africa as the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station in South Africa at 2 GW demonstrates, having been in operation since

1984/85, taking around 8 years for construction. Egypt having taken a decision in 2015, has its El Dabaa Nuclear Power Station under development with an expected commissioning date in 2026 that when completed will provide 4 4 GW Recently (April 2023 - March 2024), several other countries on the African continent have indicated a desire to have nuclear power as a solution or dare I say panacea to their electricity shortfalls (aka load Shedding).

Now anyone familiar with these supply challenges coupled with the high unelectrified numbers, can then relate to the need for additional baseload power to complement renewables as well as reduce the cost / supply risk impact for oil importing nations Africa being described as “hungry for energy” will need to ramp up its generation infrastructure as well as transmission networks to meet energy security needs of the 21st century and beyond. a“majorundertaking”involvingupto15yearsanda100yearcommitment. www.rdjpublishing.africa

As with all industries, the need for regulatory support and action is also, and even more so present in the nuclear industry One of the bodies set up to deal with this is the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) who identifies the setting up of a nuclear programme as a “major undertaking” involving up to 15 years and a 100-year commitment

It must also be noted that the decision for nuclear power in a member state will be theirs and can then get support / guidance using the IAEA “Milestones Approach” This entails a three-phase set of steps that helps the country determine if nuclear power is actually the right choice (the WHY nuclear), preparation (the WHAT and HOW) and finally the build/operation phase.

One approach that seems to bridge the gap is that of setting up research plants The IAEA in a 107-page report as part of its Nuclear Energy Series (No NP-T-5 1), outlines the considerations and milestones to be reached for development of a research reactor The first milestone is justification (the WHY). This of itself means that the reactor should meet the needs of all the potential stakeholders and align with the financial resources available for such an endeavour

The budget liability of a research reactor can as be stated by the IAEA document, create a commitment for up to 100 years or more on a member state although there are exceptions to this point. Let’s examine some recent announcements:

Rwanda, through the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB), signed an agreement with Dual Fluid to collaborate on the development of a demonstration Dual Fluid nuclear reactor in Rwanda The demonstration reactor is expected to be operational by 2026. Dual Fluid (https://dualfluid.com/) motto or theme (depending how you view it), is Maximum Power, Minimum Cost. Their approach or claim is that the nuclear fuel that is usually classified as waste from current reactor (light water reactor – LWR) designs, is used as fuel in their innovative designed reactors utilising higher temperatures This as they note would theoretically allow “spent” fuel to have a second life in their reactors, driving down costs.

An unintended consequence of this would be the commensurate drop in Uranium prices as the waste would in essence now be a competitor to yellow cake suppliers Another key feature is the reactor size being noted as small, compact and safe Ultimately, this Fifth-Generation (5th Gen) system is still in the Research and Development (R & D) phase with them indicating a protype by 2029 and commercialproductionby2034

Kenya (https://twitter com/nuclearkenya?lang=en) is also making sounds on the issue with a construction start touted for 2027 with two sites being considered for the final build location. The bidding is set or proposed for 2026-27 but no indication of the size. The Kenyan Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) created more certainty on their intention by launching a Strategic Plan (2023 –2027)inMarch2023givingmomentum.

The IAEA states that Kenya has made “significant” progress (December 2023) towards a national nuclear infrastructureforits(Kenya)researchreactorprogramme. This is touted as a first step towards a future nuclear programme with the first research reactor in place by 2030orlatest2034

Ultimately, the choice will really depend on effective energy planning aligned with economic realities and aspiration As always, the conversations continue esa@rdjpubishing.africa

Readings: https://dual-fluid com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DualFluid Power-Plant-300 EN RGB.png https://www world-nuclear-news org/Articles/Demonstrationreactor-to-be-built-in-Rwanda https://www iaea org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-reviewskenyas-nuclear-infrastructure-development-for-new-researchreactor-programme https://www iaea org/sites/default/files/18/01/developing-thenational-nuclear-infrastructure-for-nuclear-power pdf https://www theeastafrican co ke/tea/business/kenya-to-buildnuclear-power-plant-from-2027-4380566 https://www nuclear co ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/NuPEA2023-2027-Strategic-Plan pdf https://www iaea org/sites/default/files/iaea-ccnp2022-bodyweb pdf