Rosatom expands nuclear energy negotiations across Africa

Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, is advancing multiple nuclear energy projects across the African continent. During the Russia-Africa Summit, CEO Alexei Likhachev announced that the company is in discussions regarding large-scale nuclear power plants with Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, and Uganda.

In Egypt, Rosatom is working to expand the El Dabaa nuclear power plant project, potentially increasing the number of generating units from four to six. The company is also promoting floating nuclear power plant technology, which utilizes smaller reactors contained within vessels that can be towed to destinations. This technology is being offered to coastal nations to provide energy with less land-based infrastructure.

Advanced discussions for these floating units are reportedly underway with Egypt, Tanzania, Togo, and Namibia. Rosatom executives noted that 38 of Africa’s more than 50 countries possess sufficient coastline to host such units. The company proposes a power purchase agreement model where servicing and refueling are conducted in Russia, allowing units to operate for up to 60 years.