Tanzania anticipates launching its inaugural nuclear power plant by 2029, a significant step towards reducing reliance on traditional energy sources and ushering in a new era of dependable energy for its industrial and economic transformation.
This announcement was made by President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan during a press briefing with journalists who were part of her recent working visit to Russia. President Dr. Samia stated that the government's objective is to ensure that the plant officially commences operations before 2029, with a commitment to harnessing energy from the country's uranium mineral resources.
In response to an inquiry regarding the primary requirement in nuclear technology, President Dr. Samia emphasized that the nation greatly requires Russia's expertise in all facets of nuclear technology, particularly in relation to the country's plans to utilize electricity generated from uranium.
Nuclear energy is regarded as a fundamental component of "reliable energy for development". In contrast to hydropower, which can be affected by climate change and fluctuating oil prices, nuclear energy offers consistent baseload power essential for the uninterrupted functioning of heavy industries, transportation networks like SGR, and contemporary urban areas. This serves as the cornerstone of sustainable energy that fosters swift development without interruption.
During the negotiations that have taken place, Tanesco Company has signed a confidentiality agreement with the Russian firm Rostam, which has expressed its willingness to provide Tanzanians with adequate and dependable electricity. To realize the objective of incorporating nuclear energy in line with the international agreement for peaceful applications, President Dr. Samia emphasized that the immediate focus is on developing local capacity through education.
He mentioned that a group of Tanzanians is currently undergoing training in nuclear engineering in Russia, funded by the Mantra Tanzania company. The goal is to cultivate local experts who will comprehend all the systems and manage the plants even after the foreign specialists depart. Besides energy, the new agreement also seeks to rejuvenate technological projects that had previously been on hold.
President Dr. Samia addressed the goal of revitalizing nuclear collaboration at the Nelson Mandela Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), a project that previously faced setbacks due to issues with the original partners. However, Russia is now prepared to intervene and advance it for peaceful nuclear applications.