Russia Can Help South Africa Tackle Electricity Shortages — Russian Ambassador
来源：tass.com;发表于:2024-04-19;人气指数:50
Friday, April
19, 2024
Russia Can Help South Africa Tackle
Electricity Shortages — Russian Ambassador
Russia can help South Africa solve the
problem of electricity shortages, Russian Ambassador to South Africa Ilya
Rogachev told TASS.
"The Russian Federation is a world
leader in the field of nuclear technology. <…> If we talk about
cooperation between Russia and South Africa in this area, joint work on
expanding nuclear generation in the country can play a key role in solving the
problem of electricity shortages in South Africa and can lay the foundation for
the energy independence and technological sovereignty of the Republic of South
Africa," the diplomat said.
In recent years, South Africa has faced
significant power shortages, leading to long rolling blackouts across the
country. The government is making efforts to solve problems in the energy
sector primarily through advanced technologies.
Rogachev recalled that South Africa is
currently the only country on the African continent that has a nuclear power
plant in operation.
"Our country is ready to cooperate
in the supply of fuel for nuclear power plants, the construction of new large
and small nuclear capacities, the development of floating plants, the
construction of a new research reactor, the development of nuclear medicine and
so on. We can offer solutions in the field of wind energy," the ambassador
noted.
According to him, Russian companies work
with advanced technologies and are ready, for their part, to offer expertise
and competencies within the framework of appropriate tender procedures.
Reliable partner
The diplomat noted the special
significance of Russian experience in the development of nuclear energy in the
context of the global trend to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, diversify the
energy balance and switch to cleaner energy sources.
"The desire of South African
partners to cooperate with our country in this area appears to be driven by the
desire to strengthen South Africa’s energy security, solve the problem of
rolling blackouts and reduce dependence on coal-fired power plants, which are
now the main source of electricity in the country," he said. The diplomat
drew attention to the fact that Russia, being a recognized world leader in the
design, construction and operation of nuclear power plants, is ready to become
a reliable partner for South Africa in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful
purposes.
Cooperation between two companies
The diplomat recalled that in 2024, the
Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom and the South African energy concern
Eskom signed a roadmap for three years, which, in particular, provides for the
exchange of key practices in the field of personnel training, as well as
interaction on this topic at the main international platforms (IAEA, BRICS, G20
etc.)
"The key area of work in this
context is the creation of a pool of South African graduates from Rosatom’s
flagship universities, who, after completing their studies, will be able to
find work at Eskom enterprises. We positively assess the prospects for Eskom’s
involvement in the implementation of the Obninsk TECH project - an
international scientific and educational center of nuclear and related
technologies in the city of Obninsk," the diplomat said.
"In June, Rosatom and Eskom will
organize an international summer technology school for girls specializing in
engineering, the work of which will be aimed at unlocking the potential of
women in high-tech industries," the ambassador added.
TASS
Source: tass.com