Rwanda has sealed a partnership with Canadian-German firm Dual Fluid Energy Inc, as confirmed by Rwanda’s atomic energy regulator. Under this agreement, the nation will construct an experimental nuclear reactor employing innovative technology.
The novel approach, developed by the startup company, hinges on using liquid fuel and a lead coolant, promising a reduction in radioactive waste, according to the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board’s official statement.
The timeline for this endeavour is ambitious, with the demonstration reactor slated for operation by 2026.
Following this, comprehensive testing of the Dual Fluid technology is projected to conclude by 2028. Remarkably, the entire test phase, estimated at 70 million euros ($75 million), will be bankrolled by Dual Fluid, as affirmed by CEO Goetz Ruprecht during a press conference held in Kigali.
As it stands, Rwanda boasts an installed electricity generation capacity of 332.6 megawatts (MW), primarily derived from hydropower dams, supplemented by sources like methane, solar, and peat.
Within the African continent, South Africa remains the sole nation with an operational nuclear power plant. In contrast, Russia’s state-owned energy giant, Rosatom, initiated the construction of Egypt’s inaugural atomic facility last year.
The Rwanda Atomic Energy Board has disclosed that, following the conclusion of testing, it has collaboratively charted a roadmap with Dual Fluid to implement the test reactor.
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