Rwanda is among the countries focusing on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and since 2019, it has signed an agreement with Russia to establish a Center for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST) in Rwanda.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of a ministerial roundtable on Financing Africa's Nuclear Energy Future in Kigali on December 16, 2024, Dr. Gasore emphasized that many developed countries have successfully embraced nuclear energy.
He reiterated that while discussions with Russia continue, nuclear energy projects require careful consideration and long-term planning.
'The project has progressed, and we are in discussions, but nuclear energy requires a thoughtful approach. It's our first time venturing into this area, so we must proceed cautiously. The projects are moving forward, and when the time is right, we will make a decision to begin implementation,' Dr. Gasore stated.
He noted that before Rwanda embarks on building a nuclear power plant, it is crucial to consult with other countries that already have nuclear facilities. This will help Rwanda learn from their experiences, understand the challenges they faced, and determine the best approach for its own projects.
Dr. Gasore further explained that nuclear energy projects are long-term endeavors.
'It's not something for the immediate future, but rather a medium to long-term project, often taking over five years. Once a plant is built, it typically operates for about 60 years.
"Therefore, implementation takes between five and ten years. It's a careful process because, as we know, nuclear accidents, though rare, can have severe consequences. Additionally, there are strict international regulations that must be adhered to, making it impractical to rush the process,' he added.
In August, Russian Ambassador to Rwanda, Alexander Polyakov, announced that experts from Rosatom, Russia's nuclear energy agency, would visit Rwanda to provide detailed insights on how the projects outlined in the agreements would be executed.
Nuclear power plants are operational in 32 countries, providing more than 10% of the world's electricity. For example, South Africa produces 8.154 gigawatt hours (GWh) of nuclear electricity per hour, South Korea generates 171.640 GWh, and the United States produces 779.186 GWh.
Nuclear energy has various uses, including electricity generation, medical treatments (especially for serious diseases like cancer, where radiation is used for treatment), security applications (such as in scanning devices), and even in the development of weapons.
To generate electricity from nuclear energy, uranium ore is utilized, which is also used in the production of nuclear weapons.
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