Whereas the Federal Government of Nigeria continues to follow up modalities for the construction of a nuclear research centre and power plant in partnership with Russia, Zambia, on the other hand, is steadily advancing efforts at actualizing its nuclear energy goals with the European country.
Only recently, Shadreck Luwita, Zambia’s ambassador to Russia, revealed to Russia’s Sputnik news agency, the construction of a nuclear research reactor in Zambia with Russia’s assistance through ROSATOM – Russia’s state owned nuclear energy provider, is expected to begin in 2019.
Business Hilights recalls that earlier in February 2017, Russia and Zambia sealed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation on the construction of a nuclear science and technology center in Zambian.
That same year, in October, Nigeria and Russia also signed several agreements on the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant as well as a nuclear research centre housing a multi-purpose research reactor.
Giving more emphasis on the RFOSATOM deal, Luwita averred that a great deal of work had already been done, in particular, an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreement had been signed and the site for the construction of the nuclear reactor had been chosen.
Continuing, he added that Zambia would most likely sign an agreement on the construction of a nuclear power plant in the African state during the 11th ATOMEXPO international forum, due to be organized by Russia’s Rosatom state corporation next April. He agreed that “The agreement is something in the very, very near future. The first thing is to commence the construction of the center for nuclear science and technology. Most likely, these agreements are signed when Rosatom is hosting the ATOMEXPO international nuclear forum. We are most likely to see the signing of the agreement for the construction of a nuclear power plant [at the next forum].”
The ATOMEXPO international forum is a major event in the world’s nuclear field, which has been held on an annual basis since 2009. The forum provides an occasion for the discussion of the current state of the nuclear field and sets the trends for the nuclear sphere further development.
Lately, leading African nations including: Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have been embracing prospects of adopting nuclear energy to bridge their energy deficit.
South Africa is currently the only country in Africa with an operational nuclear power plant, which coincidentally produces the cheapest power in the nation.
Recently, Egypt made a deal with Rosatom for the construction of its maiden nuclear power plant in El Dabaa and plans to inaugurate the first unit of the NPP in 2026.
