Paul Burkhardt, Bloomberg News

CAPE TOWN, South Africa
EnergiesNet.com 10 18 2023

The US sees a role for its nuclear technology in Africa’s energy transition, saying small modular reactors can help the continent cut emissions while adding flexible generation capacity more quickly than large atomic plants.

SMRs are drawing the attention of policymakers around the world since they can be mass-produced for assembly in various locations, reducing the time for construction and installation. Yet most are still in the design stage, and costs have recently been driven up by soaring inflation and rising interest rates.

Nuclear technology is the “cornerstone of being able to achieve both the economic development and power needs that we face globally, but also the decarbonization,” Joshua Volz, the US Department of Energy’s deputy assistant secretary for Europe, Eurasia, Africa and the Middle East, said in an interview. “That’s the conversation we’re having throughout the continent.”

Countries across Africa are seeking to boost clean power generation, but have called for more climate finance to do so. While the region has ample renewables potential and is touted as a future source of green hydrogen, almost half its population lacks access to electricity. Several nations are also on the cusp of becoming oil and gas producers, and say that’s essential for their economies.

“We support our African partners in the development of all of their resources, which they’ve been very clear — and rightfully so — that they are going to develop,” Volz said at a conference in Cape Town. That “cannot come at the expense of transitioning an energy economy to something that’s greener, cleaner and more sustainable.”

The US is discussing nuclear cooperation agreements with Kenya and Ghana, and renewing a pact with South Africa, according to Volz, who also touted larger-reactor technology developed by General Electric Co. and Westinghouse Electric Co. Russia’s Rosatom Corp. promoted its modular reactors at the same event.

–With assistance from Gem Atkinson and Jonathan Tirone.

bloomberg.com 10 18 2023