Burundi is increasingly committed to developing nuclear energy to fill its energy deficit. Memoranda of understanding between Burundi and Russian companies have been signed. However, the country will also have to pay attention to the consequences that could arise on the ecology
Burundi plans to use nuclear energy to make up for its energy deficit.
On the sidelines of the visit of the Burundian Head of State Evariste Ndayishimiye to Russia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Albert Shingiro sign with the Director General of the State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM) a cooperation agreement between Burundi and Russia in the field of the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.
Nuclear power to reduce the energy deficit
Burundi plans to use nuclear energy to make up for its energy deficit. The electrical capacity installed in Burundi amounts to 115 MW with a national electrification rate which oscillates between 12% and 15%, according to the ministry in charge of energy. This is so at a time when the country will need at least 400 MW for its industrialization and 412 MW for the mining sector, according to the forecasts of the National Development Plan 2018-2027. Even more, the exploitation of the mines and the construction of the railroad will require an energy requirement of 1000 MW.
To achieve these objectives, Burundi considered a few years ago the use of nuclear energy. In March 2009, the National Assembly unanimously voted the bill on the accession by the Republic of Burundi to the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency “IAEA”. The latter helps to train the executives of the IAEA member states in dealing with and evaluating the radiation situation on the national territory in order to protect the population. The IAEA organizes controls in each member country in order to avoid accidents.
In April 2015, the government signed a 3-year agreement with the company Morgan Mining SURL to carry out research in order to establish the existence of exploitable deposits of Colombo-tantalite and its associated elements (Cassiterite and Wolframite) and ‘Uranium rammed the perimeter of Kibuye-Inakizuru.
On June 23, 2022, MPs passed the Peaceful Use and Safety of Nuclear Energy and Ionizing Radiation Bill. Invited to the plenary of the analysis of this bill, Ir Ibrahim Uwizeye, Minister in charge of energy explained that nuclear power will make it possible to fill the energy deficit and increase the industrial sector.
The memorandum of understanding recently signed in Russia was adopted by the Council of Ministers on February 3, 2021. The aim was to build a nuclear power plant capable of reducing Burundi’s energy deficit. The signing of this memorandum of understanding will initiate the sharing of relevant information between Burundi and ROSATOM. This memorandum of understanding will subsequently allow the negotiation of an intergovernmental agreement between the Russian Federation and the Government of Burundi to begin studies for the implementation of this project.
Dealing with Disasters at All Costs
If the government is counting on nuclear power to reduce the energy deficit, it should pay attention to the consequences of the operation of nuclear power stations. Since uranium is a radioactive substance, its chemical reactions can cause health problems to the surrounding population. Exposed for a long time to uranium radionuclides, there is a risk of developing cancer.
When mining uranium, miners can be exposed to radiation and inhale the dust. On-site ore processing requires a series of chemical operations very polluting for the environment.
We must also seek to avoid nuclear disasters which could occur in the land of milk and honey. Nuclear power plants can experience serious accidents causing serious consequences for the population and the environment. The Fukushima disaster in Japan (2011) still leaves traces. The city remains deserted of the population, the radioactivity remains very high.
Responding to the concerns of deputies in June 2022, Ibrahim Uwizeye, Minister in charge of Energy, reassured: “There are currently nuclear reactors (Small modula reactor) of the latest generation with 50 MW with zero risk”. According to Minister Uwizeye, with this type of reactor, the benefit far outweighs the risk while noting that the risk is never zero even for hydroelectric plants.
