With only 83 gigawatts of installed energy capacity, Sub-Saharan Africa has continued to struggle to achieve the sustainable development goal of ‘clean and affordable energy. Two out of 3 homes and 58 per cent of health care centres still lack commercial electricity. The region relies heavily on hydro, thermal and solar plants. However, their distribution networks are plagued with poor voltage profiles. This is associated with inadequate dispatch and control infrastructure, fragile grid networks, frequent system collapse, and high transmission losses.
It is undeniable that electricity is a prerequisite for industrialisation. And countries seeking more it are looking to nuclear energy as the next alternative. Britain recently announced more investments in nuclear energy technology while France continues to consolidate on the gains of nuclear power with about 70 per cent of her electricity from that source. Today, more than 450 nuclear power plants are functioning in about 30 countries, accounting for about 10 per cent of the world’s electricity.
Current Electricity Situation in Sub-Sharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa is rich in diverse forms of energy resources. There are abundant oil and gas reserves in the western parts while huge hydropower potentials could be found in the central regions. Yet, the region has severely underdeveloped power infrastructures. It is estimated that only 47.9% of the region’s population had access to electricity in 2019, compared with the global average of 90%. This figure may continue to decline as the region is battling to address more pressing issues like poverty eradication and access to good health care. It is therefore not surprising that all 48 countries in the region together generate the same amount of power as Spain, despite having more energy resources and a population that is 18 times more.
Financial aids to the region mostly target poverty eradication and education with very little going to the power sector. In the rural areas, energy is mostly used in the unprocessed form which is potentially harmful to both humans and the environment. This is a practice that hinders attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals seeking clean energy and climate action.
Why Nuclear Energy? Benefits Beyond the Grid
Nuclear energy is fast emerging as a cornerstone for a reliable, sustainable, and economically robust energy future. Here’s why nuclear power stands out as a convincing energy option:
High Energy Density and Reliability:
Nuclear reactors generate an enormous amount of energy from a tiny amount of fuel. This high energy density means that nuclear power plants require a much smaller fuel volume compared to fossil fuels or even large-scale renewable installations. Moreover, nuclear facilities operate at exceptionally high capacity factors (often exceeding 90%), providing steady, base-load electricity regardless of weather conditions or time of day.
Minimal Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
Once operational, nuclear power plants produce virtually zero carbon dioxide during electricity generation. This low operational carbon footprint makes nuclear energy one of the most effective options for mitigating climate change while meeting increasing global energy demands.
Enhanced Land Use Efficiency:
Unlike solar and wind farms, nuclear plants occupy a relatively small land area. This efficient land use is particularly beneficial in regions where space is at a premium or where preserving natural habitats is a priority.
Long Lifespan and Economic Stability:
Nuclear power plants are designed to operate for 40–60 years and many are receiving life extensions beyond 80 years and ensuring a long-term, stable return on investment. Their low operational and fuel costs, coupled with predictable performance, make them less susceptible to market volatility than fossil fuels.
Versatile Industrial Applications:
Beyond electricity, the high-grade thermal energy produced by nuclear reactors can be harnessed for multiple applications, including:
- Desalination: Providing fresh water in arid regions by desalinating seawater, addressing both water scarcity and energy challenges.
- Hydrogen Production: Utilizing excess heat for efficient hydrogen production, paving the way for a cleaner fuel economy.
- District Heating: Supplying consistent heat to nearby urban areas or industrial parks, enhancing overall energy system efficiency.
Energy Security and Strategic Independence:
With nuclear fuel supplies available for decades and the ability to recycle spent fuel in advanced reactors, nuclear power offers a stable, long-term energy solution that can reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. This contributes to national energy security and helps insulate economies from global fuel price fluctuations.
Catalyst for Technological Innovation and Job Creation:
The nuclear sector is a driver for advancements in technology thereby fostering innovations in reactor design. For instance, small modular reactors offer enhanced safety, faster deployment, and scalability. The industry also creates highly skilled jobs, boosts local economies, and provides critical research and development capabilities that extend into medical applications such as the production of life-saving radioisotopes.
The Drawbacks of Nuclear Energy Technology
The use of nuclear energy is still a controversial issue in many countries and the reasons revolve around cost, safety, waste and security threats.
High Initial Cost: Special licences and materials are needed for the construction of a nuclear power plant. Purchasing and installing these equipment would require reasonably large amount of funds. Contractors may be employed or personnel trained to manage the facility. Either way, a country willing to enjoy the benefits of nuclear energy must be prepared to bear the high initial cost of owning a nuclear power plant.
Safety: Public anxiety about nuclear energy stems directly from safety and the fear of exposure to radioactive material. The negative effects of past accidents have not helped in resolving this perception. Nuclear energy hazard, is not only be detrimental to the health of plants and animals but could render an entire area inhabitable for times to come.
Nuclear Waste: Nuclear waste, when not properly handled or disposed, could constitute an environmental hazard. The cost of ensuring proper disposal of these wastes could also take its toll on a nation’s budget. In 1988, a $2 billion repository was built in New Mexico by the USA for the storage of radioactive waste. This may be a dauting task for some African countries to achieve and makes nuclear waste management an issue for consideration.
Security Threat: Another global concern is the use of nuclear technology to produce weapons. Nuclear weapons are 1000 times more destructive today than the atomic bomb used by the USA in 1945 against Japan. If such weapons land in the wrong hands or used by warring countries, the result could be devastating.
The Way Forward for Sub-Saharan Africa
The current energy profile for sub-Saharan Africa has without a doubt failed to inspire industrialisation in the region. Some companies that were lured to the area by the abundance of natural resources have fled partly due to electricity challenges. A world bank report says that businesses lose about 29 billion dollars annually due to poor electricity in Nigeria. This is just an example of many of such instances across the region. South Africa for now is the only country in the region with a nuclear facility that contributes to commercial electricity. This may just be the reason she is ranked highest in total installed electricity.
The benefits of nuclear energy, as examined earlier outweigh the drawbacks. With the right mindset and expertise these drawbacks could be contained. Also, past tragedies of nuclear mishaps have been documented and stricter policies enacted by concerned countries to ensure such disasters do not re-occur. With dwindling oil prices and uncertainty over fossil fuels, and for a firm statement in favour of climate action, then it is time for sub–Saharan Africa to embrace nuclear energy technology.
Reference/Attribution:
1. Trading Economics, ‘Electricity Production by Country/Africa’ https://tradingeconomics.com/country-list/electricity-production?continent=africa, accessed 11 May 22.
2. SAIIA, ‘Is nuclear part of the answer to sub-Saharan Africa’s electricity shortage, https://saiia.org.za/research/is-nuclear-part-of-the-answer-to-sub-saharan-africas-electricity-shortage/ , Accessed 11 May 22.
3. WNN ‘Viewpoint: Nuclear energy is critical to Africa’s agenda for sustainable development’, https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Viewpoint-Nuclear-energy-is-critical-to-Africas-ag, accessed 11 May 22.
4. NuclearPowerYesPlease.org, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons