{"id":92513,"date":"2024-12-18T12:22:45","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T12:22:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/rwanda-strengthens-commitment-to-nuclear-energy-development"},"modified":"2024-12-18T12:26:01","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T12:26:01","slug":"rwanda-strengthens-commitment-to-nuclear-energy-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/rwanda-strengthens-commitment-to-nuclear-energy-development","title":{"rendered":"Rwanda strengthens commitment to nuclear energy development"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente met nuclear scientists and industry experts on December 17, in a session led by Lassina Zerbo, the Chairman of Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB).<\/p>\n

Their meeting followed a two-day ministerial roundtable on Financing Africa\u2019s Nuclear Energy Future held in Kigali. The discussions underscored Rwanda’s commitment to advancing its nuclear energy programme as a critical solution to meet the country\u2019s growing energy needs.<\/p>\n

Zerbo noted the importance of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), describing them as scalable, clean, and efficient technologies suited to Rwanda’s energy landscape.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday’s discussions focused on nuclear power plants, particularly SMRs, which offer safer, modular, and clean energy solutions adaptable to Rwanda\u2019s context,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente interacts with Dr Lassina Zerbo, Chairman of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board after meeting<\/p>\n

The meeting convened international and regional stakeholders, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Nuclear Energy Agency in France, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.<\/p>\n

Zerbo underscored the pivotal role energy plays in driving Rwanda\u2019s socioeconomic transformation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe often talk about electricity, but what we truly need is energy to drive industrialisation. Without sufficient energy, we cannot attract industries or sustain manufacturing.\u201d<\/p>\n

He referenced a past challenge where a glass factory failed to establish operations in Rwanda due to limited energy capacity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is why technologies like SMRs are vital. They provide reliable, clean, and secure energy to support Rwanda\u2019s development goals,\u201d he noted, stressing that Rwanda has the potential to lead Africa\u2019s nuclear energy journey, guided by President Paul Kagame\u2019s vision.<\/p>\n

\u201cRwanda\u2019s leadership, discipline, and stability offer a strong foundation to pilot nuclear energy development on the continent. Civil society must understand that nuclear energy is about development, not weapons. Public support and a strong regulatory framework are essential for success.\u201d<\/p>\n

Addressing financing challenges<\/p>\n

The Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, emphasised that financing was a central theme during the ministerial roundtable, particularly addressing financial institutions’ hesitations regarding perceived risks of nuclear energy investments.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs Africans, we analysed these risks and explored strategies to mitigate them. Nuclear energy is clean and climate-friendly, this is crucial as we face the growing challenges of climate change,\u201d Gasore said.<\/p>\n

He noted Rwanda\u2019s energy ambitions, stressing the need for transformative solutions beyond current resources.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the next 25 years, Rwanda will need more than ten times the electricity we have today. Hydropower and other existing resources will not meet this demand alone. Nuclear energy is a viable solution to secure our energy future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Gasore also emphasised Rwanda\u2019s goal to start utilising nuclear energy within the next decade.<\/p>\n

Dr Lassina Zerbo, Chairman of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are assessing technologies suitable for Rwanda, such as SMRs, which are already available in some markets and advancing in development elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Broader benefits of nuclear energy<\/p>\n

Gasore emphasised that nuclear energy would offer significant benefits beyond electricity generation. These include contributing to industrialisation and job creation through employment opportunities in plant construction, operation, and maintenance.<\/p>\n

In addition to its role in energy, nuclear technology will play a key role in advancing healthcare, particularly in cancer treatment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe already have a hospital that utilises nuclear technology for treatment,\u201d Gasore said.<\/p>\n

Nuclear energy also holds promise for improving agricultural preservation, enhancing produce storage, and ensuring better export quality, he said. Since 2019, Rwanda has made capacity building a priority, with more than 300 students trained in nuclear energy programmes across Russia, Europe, and the United States.<\/p>\n

\u201cNuclear energy is a skill-intensive sector. Partnerships with experienced countries and specialised training are essential,\u201d Gasore explained.<\/p>\n

Laying the groundwork for Rwanda\u2019s nuclear future<\/p>\n

While Rwanda has not begun construction of its first nuclear plant, the government is laying the necessary foundation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are conducting feasibility studies, designing regulatory frameworks, and building institutions to ensure the highest safety standards,\u201d the minister added, also noting ongoing partnerships with key international stakeholders, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the U.S. Department of Energy, which co-hosted the Kigali roundtable.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are laying a solid foundation to ensure Rwanda is ready for nuclear energy development,\u201d Gasore said.<\/p>\n

The discussions underscored Rwanda’s commitment to advancing its nuclear energy programme as a critical solution to meet the country\u2019s growing energy needs.<\/p>\n

The Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore speaks to journalists after the meeting<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente poses with a delegation of government officials and nuclear energy experts in Kigali on Tuesday, December 17. Photos by Emmanuel Dushimimana<\/p>\n\r\n