Your nuclear stance bad for Africa, Greenpeace told

A climate action group has called on an environmental organisation to rethink its opposition to carbon-free nuclear power.

RePlanet Africa questioned Greenpeace’s stance against nuclear power, which emits minimal carbon dioxide during operation.

In February, Greenpeace dragged the European Commission to the European Court of Justice over the inclusion of nuclear energy in the EU’s list of sustainable investments, in what the lobby group said will hurt African countries, some of whom are now seeking partnerships to set up nuclear plants of their own.

“In so doing, you unwittingly obstruct Africa’s effective transition from fossil fuels and alleviation of the strain on the forests powering most kitchens on the continent through charcoal and wood,” RePlanet Africa said in a letter that was also signed by Eastern African Radiation Association and Kenyan Young Generation in Nuclear.

The three organisations called on Greenpeace to drop its opposition to nuclear energy, emphasising its potential to bridge the energy deficit on the continent and to empower African nations to achieve prosperity.

“Despite Africa’s abundant natural resources, including extensive uranium reserves, approximately 600 million Africans still lack access to reliable energy sources, resulting in inordinate reliance on wood fuel that is straining our forest cover and exacerbating climate change,” the two-page letter reads.

While noting Greenpeace’s initial reservations on nuclear safety and waste management, the letter challenged Greenpeace to recognise the significant technological advancements made in the nuclear industry.

“The nuclear industry has made notable strides in waste reduction and efficient disposal methods. Advances in reprocessing technologies and the creation of advanced reactors offer effective long-term solutions to nuclear waste concerns,” the lobby groups said in the letter.

While acknowledging Africa’s renewable energy potential, they highlight its insufficiency to meet current and projected energy demands, as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power are often constrained by geography and weather conditions.