African Nuclear - Part 2

Despite the issues – the need for nuclear is clear – especially when framed in relation to energy security with only 24% of the Sub-Saharan population actually having access to electricity (World Bank 2013). Furthermore, there are issues with reliability, where loss of power occurs on average 56 days a year – which has led to firms losing between 6 and 20% of revenues (World Bank 2013) – the continual and reliable energy production from nuclear therefore could provide the greater confidence in the electricity source and consequently provide greater economic security also. The World Bank (2013) also notifies high costs, which therefore will limit the electricity access and the development potential, the stable costs provided by nuclear (WNA 2015) and the tendency to provide lower costs to consumers than the majority of fossil fuels (The Economist 2015) – may allow for the profitability within the Sub-Saharan region to be boosted.

The potential is supported by the internal uranium supplies, meaning internal economic security as there will not be a dependency upon international trade prices and accessibility. Namibia and Niger are among the nations to have vast uranium stores that can be processed into fuel (Abdulrazak 2013). There is also the potential based upon large areas of land and water available for the construction – one point in which I would argue is the water accessibility, with surficial waters sparsely located and climatic change adding to drought frequency (Freitas 2013) – water availability may be required for consumption rather than reactor construction. Another positive of the African potential is the fact that compared to other areas – most notably Japan – it is relatively tectonically stable (Abdulrazak 2013) – therefore reactors will be less prone to disaster as well as having potentially suitable, stable geology for deep storage.

Africa has relatively minimal susceptibility to seismic activity. With the exception of the East African Rift - it would appear an ideal location for               safe nuclear to be established. Data Source (NOAA 2014) - Image source (CBC News 2014).

Abdulrazak (2013) is the head for Kenya's National Council for Science and Technology, he views the need for partnerships to be required if African funding for nuclear is going to be available – he views the IMF and World Bank to be central sources. However, as if often seen with the funding from these international organisations, the autonomy of the nuclear sector may be lost. This could lead to a possible favouring of foreign investment  – particularity from China. Recent activities show Chinese state investment into the UK and Latin America – could Africa be the next Chinese nuclear project? The current evidence would suggest so!

Partnerships are already in place between China and South Africa. One of many bilateral agreements was signed recently on 12^th November 2015 between the South Africa’s National Nuclear Regulator and China’s National Nuclear Safety Administration (WNN 2015) – this agreement promotes the sharing of information on the regulation procedures they undertake. Previous agreements were already in place with nuclear fuel partnerships and training contracts. Furthermore a framework agreement was established for Chinese funding for a new South African Power Plant (WNN 2014). Another example being the Chinese Agreement for nuclear reactor construction in Kenya by 2050 (M&G Africa 2015). Targets of an initial 1000MW capacity are hoped to be expanded to 4000MW by 2033 – therefore driving nuclear energy to become a “key component of the country’s energy production” - a quote from the Kenyan Nuclear Electricity Board following the announcement of the agreement. This is the start of nuclear energy expansion in Africa beyond South Africa – which remains the only African nation with current “active” plants in place. 

The agreement was signed by Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka and Li Ganjie in regards to the sharing of regulation information (WNN 2015).