Nuclear Energy Contributes to Development: Energy Conference in Africa Looks at Options
The Third Conference on Energy and Nuclear Power in Africa —
Assessing African Energy Needs and Planning for the Future, organized by
the IAEA in Kenya last week, focused on the peaceful uses of nuclear
technology and how to secure sustainable energy supplies, including
nuclear energy, in Africa. (Photo: KNEB)
Africa's energy future, as well as opportunities for regional
cooperation in nuclear energy development, were the focus of discussions
at the Third Conference on Energy and Nuclear Power in Africa —
Assessing African Energy Needs and Planning for the Future, organized by
the IAEA in Kenya last week.
"Access to secure, sustainable and affordable energy is of prime importance for socioeconomic development," explained Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy, in his opening address to the Conference. From the provision of clean water to having efficient healthcare services, almost every facet of modern life requires access to dependable and sustainable energy.
Despite considerable expansion in energy supplies in the recent past, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that nearly 620 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live without electricity — nearly two-thirds of the region's population — and nearly 730 million rely on traditional biomass, like wood. As a result, "an increasing number of developing countries, including some in Africa, are considering introducing nuclear power as part of their energy mix or expanding their use of nuclear power," noted Chudakov.
Over 150 senior officials, technical experts and national coordinators of IAEA-funded African technical cooperation projects from more than 35 African countries, gathered in Mombasa from 13 to 15 April 2015 to take part in the event. Deliberations highlighted how the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, with a focus on electricity generation, can be used as a trigger for development. Participants explored six major issues, namely national energy planning, legal considerations, leadership training, funding, regional networking and other non-nuclear aspects of nuclear power development.
Compelled by the combination of a growing population, the need for socioeconomic development and escalating environmental challenges, African states are looking into possible options to secure sustainable energy supplies, including nuclear energy. In response to this interest, the IAEA has helped facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences among African Member States on assessing the introduction of nuclear power as a source to generate electricity.
The Third Conference provided a follow-up to the first and second African Nuclear Energy Conferences organized by the IAEA and held in Cairo, Egypt, in 2009 and in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2011. These prior conferences helped to establish the African Energy Conference as a vital forum for regional stakeholders to source novel solutions and forge new partnerships. In addition to helping to deepen the public understanding of major issues related to nuclear power, the 2009 Egypt conference concluded with the agreement that future events be organized in close cooperation with the African Energy Commission and other regional partners.
This year's conference was notable in that the host country, Kenya, is also considering the feasibility of nuclear power to meet the country's rising energy demands. George Ochilo Ayacko Mbogo, Executive Chairman of the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board, noted at the 2014 IAEA General Conference that the growing energy demand of Kenya's 40 million inhabitants could not be met or sustained with the current installed electricity capacity. A pre-feasibility study for embarking on a nuclear power programme, prepared with support from the IAEA, is providing Kenya with the required information to make a "knowledgeable decision" about the implementation of a nuclear power programme, Mbogo emphasized.
Benefits and challenges of nuclear energy
The Conference has provided a forum for addressing the challenges and concerns related to the introduction of nuclear energy. Discussions and presentations have covered subjects including sustainable energy development in Africa, national and regional energy planning for nuclear power development, legal considerations, leadership and management, funding of a nuclear power programme in its early stage, as well as the benefits of regional networking.
Additionally, this Conference draws attention to nuclear safety and security — areas of paramount importance when introducing nuclear power to a country's total energy mix. Their importance was also highlighted by the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano during the Nuclear Africa 2015 Conference held in March in Pelindaba, South Africa.
"Access to secure, sustainable and affordable energy is of prime importance for socioeconomic development," explained Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy, in his opening address to the Conference. From the provision of clean water to having efficient healthcare services, almost every facet of modern life requires access to dependable and sustainable energy.
Despite considerable expansion in energy supplies in the recent past, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that nearly 620 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live without electricity — nearly two-thirds of the region's population — and nearly 730 million rely on traditional biomass, like wood. As a result, "an increasing number of developing countries, including some in Africa, are considering introducing nuclear power as part of their energy mix or expanding their use of nuclear power," noted Chudakov.
Over 150 senior officials, technical experts and national coordinators of IAEA-funded African technical cooperation projects from more than 35 African countries, gathered in Mombasa from 13 to 15 April 2015 to take part in the event. Deliberations highlighted how the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, with a focus on electricity generation, can be used as a trigger for development. Participants explored six major issues, namely national energy planning, legal considerations, leadership training, funding, regional networking and other non-nuclear aspects of nuclear power development.
Compelled by the combination of a growing population, the need for socioeconomic development and escalating environmental challenges, African states are looking into possible options to secure sustainable energy supplies, including nuclear energy. In response to this interest, the IAEA has helped facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences among African Member States on assessing the introduction of nuclear power as a source to generate electricity.
The Third Conference provided a follow-up to the first and second African Nuclear Energy Conferences organized by the IAEA and held in Cairo, Egypt, in 2009 and in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2011. These prior conferences helped to establish the African Energy Conference as a vital forum for regional stakeholders to source novel solutions and forge new partnerships. In addition to helping to deepen the public understanding of major issues related to nuclear power, the 2009 Egypt conference concluded with the agreement that future events be organized in close cooperation with the African Energy Commission and other regional partners.
This year's conference was notable in that the host country, Kenya, is also considering the feasibility of nuclear power to meet the country's rising energy demands. George Ochilo Ayacko Mbogo, Executive Chairman of the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board, noted at the 2014 IAEA General Conference that the growing energy demand of Kenya's 40 million inhabitants could not be met or sustained with the current installed electricity capacity. A pre-feasibility study for embarking on a nuclear power programme, prepared with support from the IAEA, is providing Kenya with the required information to make a "knowledgeable decision" about the implementation of a nuclear power programme, Mbogo emphasized.
Benefits and challenges of nuclear energy
The Conference has provided a forum for addressing the challenges and concerns related to the introduction of nuclear energy. Discussions and presentations have covered subjects including sustainable energy development in Africa, national and regional energy planning for nuclear power development, legal considerations, leadership and management, funding of a nuclear power programme in its early stage, as well as the benefits of regional networking.
Additionally, this Conference draws attention to nuclear safety and security — areas of paramount importance when introducing nuclear power to a country's total energy mix. Their importance was also highlighted by the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano during the Nuclear Africa 2015 Conference held in March in Pelindaba, South Africa.
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April 2015Related Stories
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