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African countries interested in nuclear power surge
After South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya, Uganda East Africa are now joining the ranks of the development of nuclear power. Uganda Atomic Energy Commission was established on the 21st, Uganda media generally agreed that the Uruguayan government would like to take the machine to explore the development of nuclear power to alleviate the shortage of long-term electricity supply thirsty.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei said: "The growing number of African countries interested in the development and utilization of nuclear power, it is because they are faced with the issue of energy security."
ElBaradei's remarks reflect the general problems facing African countries, and that is their main reason for their concern about nuclear power. For example, known as "the plateau region of rivers and lakes," said although Uganda has abundant hydropower resources, but by the impact of global climate change, and many other lakes, Lake Victoria water level decline year after year, so that the country's two large-scale hydropower generation capacity constraints, 380,000 kilowatt installed capacity of the actual generating capacity of only 100,000 kilowatts. In addition, there are no coal resources, Uganda can only rely on expensive diesel power generation to make up for the lack of hydroelectric power, high prices have left many difficult manufacturers have closed down or relocated to neighboring countries to close. Power has become a local economic development in one of the shackles. Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has repeatedly said that the Government intends to develop and promote the application of nuclear energy plans.
Due to power shortage, Kenya is seeking investors in the energy sector, and plans to buy nuclear technology, the establishment of nuclear power plant in Kenya. According to estimates, the initial phase the plant will cost one billion U.S. dollars, and upon completion, will increase the generating capacity of 1,000 MW, almost double the generating capacity in Kenya.
Nigeria also plans to build their own nuclear power plant. Although Nigeria is Africa's largest oil and gas producer, is the world's eighth largest oil exporter, but a shortage of power supply situation in Nigeria is deteriorating. 3 years ago, Nigeria, setting goals, plan their own in the next 10 years a significant portion of generation capacity to come from nuclear power.
In October 2007, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced plans to start the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the next few years the construction of Egypt prepared a number of nuclear power stations to meet their growing energy needs. It is reported that Egypt's first nuclear power plant built in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria near the western port town on behalf of Pakistan, is expected to need 5 years to 8 years completed, then its generating capacity will account for a total capacity of Egypt's 3.5%.
On the African continent, South Africa is currently the only nuclear power stations. Africa's only nuclear power plant is located near Cape Town科贝赫, the nuclear power plant has two 900-megawatt reactor, a total of 1,800 megawatts of electricity production, electricity supply capacity in South Africa accounted for 5% of the total power supply. The South African government also plans to further enhance the generation capacity of nuclear power plants to address the issue of energy supply.
For African countries to increase interest in the phenomenon of nuclear power, the International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei suggested that the countries in Africa through regional solutions, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, "because a small country can not have a comprehensive development and utilization of nuclear power measures, and in this way is also very economic. "
At present, the International Atomic Energy Agency and all Member States in Africa have been carried out more than the use of nuclear technology cooperation projects. For example, from next month, the International Atomic Energy Agency, together with the United States, Uganda for the new Atomic Energy Commission to provide technical training for relevant personnel. Africa to develop nuclear energy, countries are committed to working closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, to comply with the international community of the peaceful use of nuclear energy all the requirements. According to reports, South Africa and Nigeria and other countries concerned on the establishment of an African nuclear energy and radiation safety management agency consultations.
2009-07-24
