Firm says inclusive energy mix vital for Africa’s economic prosperity
By Abisola THOMPSON
Ryan Collyer, acting CEO of Rosatom Central and Southern Africa says inclusive energy mix is vital for African’s economic prosperity.
Collyer said in a statement on Wednesday that nuclear power was a cost-effective and reliable source of power that was always available.
He said energy sustainability was not just an opportunity to transform societies and grow economies, but it was also a necessity – a prerequisite to meet Africa’s growing energy demand.
He said it would also reduce the global carbon footprint in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
He said the most pressing issue of the global energy agenda was solving the energy trilemma.
He said in order to build a strong basis for prosperity and competitiveness, individual countries must find a balance between energy affordability, energy security and environmental sustainability in their respective energy mixes.
According to Collyer, out of all sources of electricity, nuclear is one of very few that are currently capable of ticking all three boxes.
“Nuclear power is a cost-effective and reliable source of power that is always available. A modern nuclear power plant (NPP) is able to supply uninterrupted power for 60-80 years at a predictable and affordable price, which is not drastically effected by the volatility of the global commodity market.
“At the same time, nuclear energy is a key component of a clean and sustainable energy strategy, which emits no CO2 into atmosphere,” he said.
He went on to highlight the vital importance for the nuclear industry to dispel the myths that it commonly faces.
“The myth that nuclear is unsafe for example is simply untrue. Statistically nuclear is the safest form of energy production known to man.
” From 1971 – 2009 the nuclear industry actually saved over 1.8 million lives through the prevention of harmful pollutants, should that power have been produced with hydrocarbons,” Collyer said.
Collyer, therefore, called for an open and equal debate on different energy sources on the continent and noted that an energy mix made up of various sources was vitally important.
He noted that generation sources should not be fighting over which source was best for the continent but rather work together to empower the continent and its people through access to affordable and clean energy.
“The ideal future energy mix for Africa is nuclear accompanied by renewables; hydro, solar and wind.
“This is how we can make the world green and at the same time deliver cost efficient electricity to Africa in a sustainable manner,”Collyer said.
