While the international debate on whether nuclear power should form part of any country’s low-carbon energy future is raging on, a number of African countries are considering nuclear energy generation as part of their future energy plans. South Africa is the only African country that already has an active nuclear power plant; a few other countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have started research oriented nuclear reactors. The increasing demand for electricity on the continent coupled with the global pressure to reduce emissions makes nuclear energy an attractive option to many African governments. However, although nuclear power has been touted as the silver bullet to Africa’s power supply crisis, this assertion needs closer examination as most of the arguments in favour of nuclear power fall short of its promise.
This growing interest in nuclear energy generation has prompted the Heinrich Böll Foundation to develop a publication that takes a closer look at nuclear energy from an African perspective and presents emerging information in relation to nuclear energy supply in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya. The following publication outlines key myths of nuclear power generation that need to be considered prior to investment in nuclear infrastructure on the continent, and outlines alternatives moresuitable to meet Africa’s energy needs.
Download The myths of nuclear power