Rosatom discussing floating NPP projects with Egypt, Tanzania, Togo, Namibia; exploring possibility of large-scale NPP with Uganda, Ghana - CEO
MOSCOW. Oct 30 (Interfax) - Rosatom state nuclear energy corporation held talks with representatives from over 25 African countries and signed three cooperation agreements during the Russia-Africa summit, Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev told reporters in summarizing the company's participation in the event.
Likhachev noted that while previous discussions focused on African countries' interest in healthcare technologies, the recent talks centered on the energy sector, with floating nuclear power units drawing significant interest.
"Nine countries have shown a keen interest in this technology. We are currently in substantive discussions regarding implementing projects for Egypt, Tanzania, Togo, and Namibia," Likhachev said.
"Four other countries are in discussions with us regarding constructing high-capacity power plants. We are working on the details with Uganda and Ghana. In Ethiopia, we plan to begin site survey work in the near future. In Egypt, we intend to expand the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, currently the largest construction project of its kind globally, from four to six high-capacity reactor units," Likhachev said, outlining the plans.
Likhachev also noted that several countries are not yet prepared to participate in nuclear energy projects.
"For those nations, we provide assistance with non-nuclear energy technologies. We are working with Mali to develop a solar power plant equipped with our energy storage systems. Negotiations with the Congo regarding the supply of small-scale hydroelectric power plants have resumed," Likhachev said.
Rosatom is currently constructing four power units, each with capacity of 1,200 MW, at the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant in Egypt. This marks the state corporation's first project on the African continent. Speaking on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit, Likhachev said that Rosatom also anticipates collaboration with other African countries, specifically Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Zambia.
Rwanda is set to become Rosatom's first partner for a small modular reactor project in Africa, Likhachev said in an interview with Interfax on the sidelines of the summit.
