Zimbabwe has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom to explore nuclear generation as the African nation seeks to cut its reliance on hydroelectric power.
According to Zimbabwe’s Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, the anticipated co-operation in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes will provide alternative sources of energy which Zimbabwe needs.
The country’s co-operation with Rosatom, will also explore the feasibility of constructing a nuclear science and technology center, she said. No further details of the agreement were provided. Zimbabwe aims to ease its dependency on electricity produced from Lake Kariba, the world’s largest man-made reservoir, where water levels have declined.
Russia has signed more than a dozen intergovernmental agreements in Africa in recent years and Rosatom is cooperating with more than 20 countries on the continent. Burundi approached Rosatom earlier this year to help develop a nuclear plant with capacity to produce 556MW to power its mining industry.
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Rosatom
State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom is one the global technological leaders. It is a multi-industry holding comprising assets in power engineering, machine engineering and construction, among others. Having competencies across the entire nuclear fuel cycle, the corporation boasts the largest foreign project portfolio in the world with 35 power units at different stages of implementation in 12 countries. Rosatom is the largest producer of electricity in Russia, ensuring over 20% of the country’s energy needs.
Rosatom also ventures into manufacturing equipment and isotopes for nuclear medicine, does research, materials studies, digital products, manufactures various innovative nuclear and non-nuclear products.
