South Africa to sign civil nuclear energy agreement with Russia

Russia and South Africa will sign an intergovernmental agreement for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, South African Energy Minister Ben Martin told journalists. All the internal formalities for the approval of the agreement will be completed in South Africa by February, Martin said.

“We have initialed an intergovernmental agreement with Russia, and today we are actively working on its coordination in the South Africa Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Finance, and State Treasury,” Martin was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying.  “Our goal is to complete all the procedures for approval of the agreement on peaceful use of nuclear energy by February 15, 2014.”

Earlier, the head of Rosatom Sergey Kiriyenko said Russia is ready to provide concessional financing to South Africa for the construction of new nuclear power facilities.

Rosatom set for larger share in global nuclear energy market

A strategic partnership between the two countries would facilitate the joint implementation of the national program for the development of nuclear energy in South Africa. The key project calls for the construction of new plants (up to 8 units) with Russian VVER reactors with a total capacity of up to 9.6 GW. In addition, the parties intend to build a research reactor using Russian technology. The sides will also jointly produce and market isotope products in the international market.

Russia will also assist South Africa in the development of its nuclear industry and train personnel to operate the country’s nuclear installations, which will be used for peaceful purposes.

The 20-year agreement between the BRICS partners can be extended with mutual consent.  To coordinate and monitor the implementation of the agreement, a joint committee will be created.

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