Russia’s Rosatom to support nuclear projects across Africa at AEW2024

Russia’s nuclear corporation Rosatom has announced a strong pipeline of nuclear projects across Africa, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) said on October 14. The state-owned nuclear firm has also joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 conference as a gold sponsor.

The AEW2024 is scheduled to take place in Cape Town during November 4 – 8. Rosatom’s return to AEW as a gold sponsor aligns with its strategy to expand its presence in Africa, following multiple agreements with countries across the continent in nuclear energy development, knowledge exchange, and mining ventures, the chamber said.

Africa is currently seeing a rise in nuclear energy initiatives, with plans aiming for 15 GW of nuclear capacity by 2035, according to estimates from the Nuclear Business Platform. Over 10 African countries are exploring nuclear energy potential, relying heavily on international partnerships, including those with Rosatom, to drive project development.

According to the AEC, Rosatom's participation in AEW2024 underscores its commitment to advancing nuclear projects across the continent, focusing on facility construction, capacity building, mining, and regulatory support.

In June, Rosatom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Guinea to develop floating nuclear power plants (NPPs). Rosatom, which already operates the world’s only floating nuclear co-generation plant Akademik Lomonosov, plans to build seven more worldwide. These floating plants, particularly suitable for regions with undeveloped or unreliable power grids, offer continuous clean and affordable power, benefiting remote communities. The agreement with Conakry focuses on constructing floating plants equipped with RITM-200 reactors to support both industrial and domestic energy needs, promoting sustainable energy access.

In July, Rosatom entered into an agreement with the Republic of Congo, which seeks to expand its use of nuclear energy. The partnership focuses on the peaceful application of nuclear energy and on hydroelectric power generation, aligning with Congo’s strategy to diversify its energy resources beyond oil. By tapping into Rosatom’s expertise, the Republic of Congo aims to enhance energy access and further strengthen its energy infrastructure, says the AEC.

Rosatom has also signed an agreement with Burkina Faso's Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Quarries to build an NPP, scheduled for completion by 2025. The project aims to double the country's power production by 2030. The deal also includes a roadmap to support the development of nuclear energy in Burkina Faso, which will involve creating a regulatory framework for the safe and effective use of nuclear power.

Rosatom is not only advancing nuclear power development across Africa but also focusing on capacity building and workforce training in the sector, the AEC says. To support human capital development, the company has various training programmes in place.

In South Africa, the continent’s sole nuclear power producer, Rosatom signed an agreement with the state-run power utility Eskom for a 2024-2026 nuclear action plan. This plan, according to the chamber, includes educational initiatives, joint degree programs, and workforce training to support the country’s continued use of nuclear power.

Notably, the Koeberg nuclear station, which provides 5% of South Africa’s electricity, has received approval to extend operations for another 20 years. The Rosatom-Eskom partnership aims to ensure that the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to sustain nuclear energy production in the long term.

Kenya is also planning a collaboration with Russia to develop its nuclear and renewable energy industries, Kenya’s Ambassador to Russia stated at a forum held in the Russian city of Stavropol on October 4-5. Facing challenges to its power supply given its heavy reliance on hydropower, Kenya is pivoting towards greater use of nuclear and renewable energy in its power mix, NewsBase reported.

Furthermore, Rosatom is expanding uranium mining operations in Africa to bolster nuclear energy production. The company aims to begin mining uranium in Namibia by 2029, with the Wings Project’s prospecting and exploration phase expected to be completed by 2026. This project, which involves a total investment of $500mn, is expected to produce 5,000 metric tonnes of uranium annually.

“Rosatom represents a strong partner for Africa’s nuclear industry. The company is focused on supporting the construction of nuclear energy facilities while concurrently scaling up capacity building, mining activities and regulatory support,” said AEC executive chairman NJ Ayuk. “Nuclear has the potential to transform the continent’s power landscape and with partners like Rosatom, Africa is well positioned to tap into this growing market.”

Meanwhile, Rosatom is constructing an NPP in Egypt according to the contract package signed in 2017 between the Egyptian and Russian governments. The El Dabaa facility is Rosatom’s first major NPP in Africa. When completed, it will consist of four VVER-1200 units, or pressurised water reactors (PWRs), with a total capacity of 4.8 GW.