Prospects of Nuclear Energy for Clean and Sustainable Energy Development in Rwanda

Abstract

Rwanda, just like many other developing countries, still faces challenges in the energy sector. The country is still not able to supply reliable and affordable electricity to meet the current and future energy needs, as a result of rapid economic growth, increasing population and urbanization. Rwanda currently has limited generation resources, particularly during the dry season, when several hydropower stations are experiencing water shortages. Sometimes, leased diesel generation is needed to meet peak demand, which comes at a hefty cost. Efforts are being made to determine the true number of existing resources in the country for energy generation. Diversifying sources of energy inevitably becomes a strategic option. Rwanda has decided to embark on an ambitious programme for nuclear development as one of the alternatives to tackle energy challenges. This paper briefly presents plans featuring in the nuclear science and technology programme with the ultimate goal to leverage nuclear applications for sustainable social-economic development. A review of the country’s energy sector status is presented with focus on prospects of the nuclear programme as the solution to the country’s high energy demand and applications in different socio-economic sectors. In efforts to join the rest of world in the “net zero” greenhouse gas emission by 2050, Rwanda embraces the perspective under which nuclear energy is foreseen as a source of energy that most supports the efforts.