Title: Prospects for nuclear power in Sub-Saharan Africa in the 21st century

Authors: Andrew Kenny

Addresses: P.O. Box 731, Noordhoek 7979, South Africa

Abstract: The lack of reliable, accessible and affordable energy hinders development in Sub-Saharan Africa, the poorest region in the world. Nuclear power promises to be the cheapest and most reliable source of electricity for many African countries. Nuclear power plants (typically 250 MWe in capacity or smaller) can be located near load centres and thus help overcome the problem of inadequate transmission grids. The lack of technical skills is a particular problem. Waste disposal and adverse public perceptions would be less of a problem in Africa. The risk of proliferation could be addressed by not having uranium enrichment on the African continent.

Keywords: nuclear power; nuclear energy; Sub-Saharan Africa; electricity; poverty; health; reliable energy; nuclear safety; stability; cost; nuclear waste; nuclear proliferation; uranium enrichment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.2008.019862

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 2008 Vol.30 No.1/2/3/4, pp.177 - 203

Published online: 12 Aug 2008 *

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