- The scientists said nuclear energy is critical to addressing climate change and the global energy crunch.
- The researchers said nuclear energy generates more dependable electricity to consistently meet demand any time
Image: FILE
Scientists have urged African countries to adopt nuclear energy on the strength of their low carbon footprint and reliability regardless of weather conditions.
Speaking during a webinar hosted by RePlanet Africa on the continent’s readiness for nuclear power, three African scientists described nuclear energy as “clean, safe, efficient” and critical to addressing climate change and the global energy crunch.
In Africa, at least seven countries among them Kenya and Uganda have tabled their nuclear ambitions and are at various stages of nuclear adoption.
All of them hope to have commissioned their nuclear reactors in between 10 to 15 years.
Amanda Mbhele, a scientist working with the South Africa Nuclear Energy Corporation, said the success of South Africa with nuclear energy gives hope to the rest of Africa.
“As a country, we have 96 years of cumulative experience of running nuclear facilities successfully without any death or accident. For close to a century, we have demonstrated that nuclear energy can be safe, feasible and a viable alternative in other African countries,” Mbhele said.
While addressing the need for reliable power, David Otwoma, former chairperson of the Eastern Africa Association for Radiation Protection, called on African countries to adopt nuclear energy because it generates more dependable electricity to consistently meet demand at any time.
“Unlike solar and wind, which are intermittent and only available at certain times of the day depending on weather, nuclear energy is available up to 95 per cent of the time – making it more accessible and affordable to households and even more ideal for industrialisation,” Otwoma said.
Addressing safety and the handling of nuclear waste, Kagudde Abbas, a lecturer of Electrical and Energy Engineering at Soroti University in Uganda, said more reactors are opting for on-site deep storage to limit movement of nuclear waste material.
The process involves burying highly radioactive waste materials deep underground in a geological repository.
“The idea behind deep storage is to isolate the waste from the biosphere for an extended period, allowing it to decay and reduce its radioactivity to safer levels over time,” Kagudde said.
He added that the process typically involves finding a suitable geological formation, such as stable rock formations or salt deposits that can provide long-term stability and containment for the waste.