Business Daily A nuclear future for Africa?
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May 18, 2025 Nuclear power is staging a comeback, with discussions on its potential in Africa versus renewable sources like solar and wind. The financial challenges of nuclear projects raise concerns about foreign investment from nations like China and Russia. Meanwhile, tech giants are investing in small modular reactors to support electricity needs for AI and data centers. The promise of these SMRs in Africa surfaces, highlighting a blended approach to meet energy demands while addressing climate change.
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Nuclear vs Renewable in Africa
- Nuclear power plants are costly and can be too large for many African countries' small electricity systems.
- Solar panels offer a flexible, incremental, and cheaper alternative that suits Africa's abundant sunshine.
South Africa's Nuclear Challenges
- South Africa's Koeberg nuclear reactor provides only 5% of electricity but uses 11% of the energy budget.
- The nuclear plant has faced reliability issues leading to shutdowns and electricity shortages.
Renewables Beat Nuclear Timing
- Nuclear projects have underestimated costs and long build times compared to quick and cheaper renewable setups.
- Renewables provide reliable electricity to grow economies faster than nuclear in Africa.