Nuclear Power in the 21st Century and Its Role in Developing Countries
Yury A. Sokolov, Vladimir S. Kagramanyan and Alan McDonald
Department of Nuclear Energy, International Atomic Energy Agency,
The importance of modern energy sources in Africa cannot be be over emphasized as it is the nucleus of socio-economic development globally. A large number of Africans depend on charcoal and firewood reflecting the comparatively low level of industrialisation in Africa.
To move out of this phase will require substantial increase in cost effective and affordable energy sources, that are environmentally friendly and ensure social equability and sustainability. Africa is the smallest consumer of primary energy in the world and therefore per Capita primary energy needs to be increased in order for Africa to be competitive.
Government commitment to the future of nuclear energy is strong.South Africa's rapidly dwindling coal reserves mean the country may need a source of cleaner, better energy by as early as 2008. The government insists that nuclear power could play a crucial role in South Africa's future energy mix. Although South Africa's coal reserves are vast - they are measured in billions of tons - fossil fuels do not last forever, and South Africa's are rapidly depleting. South Africa's interest in nuclear power is part of a growing, albeit tentative, international trend, and comes amid forecasts that the global demand for energy will double in the next 25-30 years. More and more governments are now exploring the possibility of nuclear energy for the first time since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. However, the future of the country's energy would involve private-sector involvement in the construction of power stations and nuclear power facilities. This has proved to be a difficult task to secure a credible and stable international partner who is prepared to stick around. Coupled with this are objections to the government's nuclear programme from environmental lobbyists. South Africa is planning to build a second nuclear reactor.
The stations' two reactors supply 1 800MW or 6 of
High level waste, the spent fuel, is stored on site in special pools equipped with high-density racking. Koeberg ranks amongst the safest of the world’s top-ranking PWR’s of its vintage and is vital for grid stability in the Cape.
During 2002, Koeberg was awarded NOSCAR status for the 7th consecutive year by the National Occupational Safety Association (NOSA).
NUCLEAR ENERGY HOPES IN THE REST OF AFRICA
EGYPT
The son of Egypt's president Gamal Mubarak urged his father's party to consider a proposal to develop nuclear energy.
Gamal Mubarak told party members gathered in Cairo. More Information
ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe shocked the world in November 2006 when he announced