The Russian and Burundian governments issued this Thursday, March 23, 2023 an agreement for the peaceful exploitation of nuclear energy. The extraction of uranium on Burundian soil could generate nuclear energy, and goodbye to the incessant power cuts and a huge step towards industrialization. But at what cost ?
This Thursday, March 23, 2023, the Burundian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Albert Shingiro paid a visit to Russia to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. The purpose of this meeting was to conduct substantive discussions on the state of cooperation between Russia and Burundi, the Burundian minister said in a press conference. A bilateral cooperation which is not new and which relies on the realization of projects to boost the development of Burundi. Among other things, the peaceful exploitation of nuclear energy, in accordance with the memorandum of understanding that was signed between Burundi and the Russian company ROSATOM to continue studies on the possibilities of operating a nuclear power plant.
Nuclear energy, salvation?
The country has a huge energy deficit. Despite the commissioning of the Ruzibazi hydroelectric dam and that of the regional hydroelectric power station of Rusumo falls towards Gitega as well as other hydroelectric power stations under construction, the electricity supply is far from satisfactory. The National Development Plan (PND) 2018-2027 provides that Burundi will need at least 400 MW for its industrialization and 412 MW for the mining sector in 2027. However, the total installed power will be at least 287.141 MW in 2027, according to the forecasts of the sectoral strategy for implementing the PND at the Ministry of Hydraulics, Energy and Mines. It is within this framework that Burundi adopted a draft law nº 1/31 of September 16, 2022 in order to resort to the peaceful use, safety and security of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation.
As for the production of other energies available to Burundi to replace nuclear energy, in particular hydroelectric energy or solar energy, the words of the Minister in charge of Energy and Mines, Ir Ibrahim Uwizeye, are formal : “Burundi’s hydroelectric potential has been assessed at 1700 MW, but only 300 MW is energetically profitable (economically exploitable). Most hydroelectric power stations will be depreciated without having generated revenue at least equivalent to the expenditure used for their construction. Regarding solar energy, it is not stable and depends on the solar intensity. This intensity is proportional to the surface of the solar panels. 1 MW needs land equivalent to one hectare. To produce more solar energy, more space is needed. Which is practically not easy for our country without empty spaces. »
Nuclear energy is not safe
The exploitation of nuclear energy releases radioactive substances harmful to human health and the environment. In order to counteract these risks, large empty spaces are needed so as not to contaminate the population. A disadvantageous point in a small country of 27834 km² in area with 13 million inhabitants. To promote multilateral cooperation, Burundi is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which adopted in 1994 the Convention on Nuclear Safety. This nuclear safety designates “all the technical provisions and organizational measures relating to the design, construction, operation, shutdown and dismantling of nuclear installations (…), as well as the transport of radioactive substances, taken into with a view to preventing accidents or limiting their effects. »according to the nuclear safety authority.
Burundi, which is struggling to fight against the pollution of Lake Tanganyika, will it manage to implement good management of radioactive waste? A problem that is causing a stir even in developed countries because a nuclear power plant contains several tens of tons of radioactive materials that must be confined because they represent a potential danger for humans and the environment.
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