NAIROBI (Kenya), Aug 30 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — TANZANIA has expressed readiness, including revealing plans to advance nuclear energy as a clean alternative source of energy for economic development and societal welfare.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy Dr Doto Biteko said during the ongoing second US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit in Kenya capital, Nairobi that Tanzania is committed to tapping into its diverse clean energy resources including nuclear energy.
The four-day summit intends to address the critical issues hindering the adoption of nuclear power in the region.
Addressing the summit, the Deputy Premier said Tanzania is prepared to develop nuclear energy to ensure reliable and sufficient power supply that meets international environmental standards.
He added that the country’s readiness to advancing and utilising nuclear energy is highlighted clearly in the National Energy Policy 2015, the Mineral Policy of 2009, the power system master plan and the national renewable energy strategy.
“The government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, is taking significant steps to enable nuclear energy as a clean energy source. Tanzania has uranium reserves of approximately 58,500 tonnes that could be used for nuclear energy production,” Dr Biteko said.
He said that alternative energy sources like nuclear would enhance the country’s commercial partnerships within and outside Africa, improving both individual and national economies.
“This plan will facilitate the integration of power grids among East and Southern African countries and eventually across other parts of the continent,” he added.
The Deputy Premier used the platform to express Tanzania’s willingness to collaborate with various stakeholders, including the United States of America and African nations to advance nuclear energy ambition.
He added that the collaboration is crucial since the project could help to serve 10 million small businesses, which face operational challenges due to lack of reliable sources of power.
In a related development, Dr Biteko said the county’s electricity demand is growing at 10 to 15 per cent annually.
He said for the country to meet the sustainable development goals, it plans to generate 10,000MW by 2030.
For her part, the White House Special Assistant to the President on Climate Policy, Finance and Innovation, Nana Ayensu highlighted the summit’s importance in opening doors for the development of nuclear energy that is both human-friendly and environmentally safe.
She stressed that nuclear energy will support global clean energy agendas, including international initiatives for clean cooking energy, with President Samia as a leading advocate.
Coupled with this, she affirmed the United States’ readiness to collaborate with African nations to promote nuclear energy, ensuring reliable energy availability and driving economic development.
The summit has brought together leaders, policymakers and experts from various African countries. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
