Scientists call for Africa's adoption of nuclear energy

Perceptions on nuclear use and safety, handling of nuclear waste, political instability, and the initial capital outlay count against its adoption on the continent. [iStockphoto] Scientists have urged African countries to adopt nuclear energy on the strength of their low carbon footprint and baseload power or ability to operate continuously and reliably, regardless of weather conditions or time of day. Speaking during a webinar hosted by RePlanet Africa on the continent's readiness for nuclear power recently, the three African scientists described nuclear energy as clean, safe, efficient, and critical to addressing the twin issues of climate change and the global energy crunch in the face of growing human population. However, the challenges of nuclear adoption are immense. Once touted as a cleaner and bountiful alternative to fossil fuels, nuclear power saw its prospects dim in the wake of accidents at Three Mile Island in the US, the Chornobyl disaster in Ukraine, and the meltdowns at Japan's Fukushima plant in 2011. Perceptions on nuclear use and safety, handling of nuclear waste, political instability, and the initial capital outlay count against its adoption on the continent. But all that seems to be changing. Much of the world that considered shutting down their nuclear plants is having a rethink. Germany, which had planned to shut down its last three nuclear reactors has had a change of mind. Even Japan, which had resolved to banish nuclear energy forever after the Fukushima meltdown, is considering new reactors. 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. Addressing the need for reliable power, Dr David Otwoma, former chairperson of the Eastern Africa Association for Radiation Protection, called on African countries to adopt nuclear energy because it generates reliable power to consistently meet demand any time of day or night. "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," says Dr Otwoma, a former inspector with the International Atomic Energy Agency. 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," Ms Amanda said. On the issue of cost, Ms Amanda said the social-economic benefits that accrue to countries over the lifespan of a nuclear plant-usually about 50-60 years -make up for any pains of initial investments. "Studies have estimated that it costs about $2 to $8 billion to put up a nuclear power plant that can serve up to 60 years. Compared to other sources of green energy including solar and wind - whose lifespan is just 20 years, nuclear energy is way cheaper in the long run," says Amanda. Kagudde Abbas, lecturer of electrical and energy engineering at Soroti University in Uganda, said more reactors are opting for on-site deep storage to limit the 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," Mr Kagudde said, adding that 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. Citing Kenya's Least Cost Power Development Plan, Dr Otwoma said that by 2040, the demand for electricity will exhaust the current generation capacity in the country-making a powerful case for urgent adoption of nuclear power. Dr Otwoma, also a former inspector with the International Atomic Energy Agency, said nuclear energy can help accelerate the planet's shift from fossil fuels, which are the major contributors to climate change. This shift diversifies the energy mix and reduces the carbon intensity of electricity generation. "Nuclear power plants generate electricity without producing significant amounts of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases," says Dr Otwoma, adding that the primary emission associated with nuclear energy comes from the mining and processing of uranium, but it is relatively small compared to fossil fuel emissions. He also said nuclear was way more stable than any other form of energy. "Nuclear power plants provide baseload power, which means they can operate continuously and reliably. This stability helps balance intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which depend on weather conditions," he added. Echoing Dr Otwoma's sentiments, Ms Amanda said nuclear energy is key to meeting most of the Sustainable Development Goals including access to clean water through aiding desalination and elimination of poverty through improved livelihoods as a result of nuclear-powered economies. Ms Amanda said nuclear power has a high energy density, meaning a small amount of fuel can produce a large amount of electricity. This efficiency reduces the need for extensive mining and transportation of fuel, reducing associated emissions. nwamuswa@standardmedia.co.ke

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