I consider myself an eco-modernist. I understand the science behind climate
change. But I don’t think either panic or
deindustrialization is necessary to address it.
Rather, I believe that technology can allow us to reduce carbon emissions
and at the same time increase our material standard of living.
The most promising alternative to fossil fuels is nuclear
power. Unfortunately, government regulation
and environmentalist scaremongering has prevented the development of new
commercial nuclear facilities in the United States and Europe for the last
fifty years.
Fortunately, the rest of the world is not so backward looking. Commercial nuclear development is taking off
in Africa.
African economies are growing rapidly and so is their demand
for reliable electricity that can power industry and commercial
activities. Wind and solar can’t do
that.
Here’s a roundup of commercial nuclear development in North
and East Africa.
Egypt is
building a mammoth 4,800 MW plant on the Mediterranean coast. The El Dabaa plant is being financed with
assistance from Russia.
Four East African countries have announced plans to develop
commercial scale nuclear power plants to support economic growth.
Uganda
is leading the way. Uganda is planning a
2000 MW nuclear power plant with the first 1000 MW of capacity to be brought online
in 2031.
Rwanda
signed an agreement with a German-Canadian company to develop a nuclear power test
facility.
Kenya
plans to start construction on a 1000 MW commercial nuclear plan in 2027.
Burinka
Faso is working with Russian on the development of commercial nuclear.
And Tanzania
is looking into developing commercial nuclear facilities in conjunction with
Russia.
Meanwhile, Germany shut down its last three nuclear plants
this year. In their place, Germany has
ramped up generation from carbon-emitting coal.
Nuclear energy is yet another industry where the United
States is far behind Russia and China. None
of the African projects are being developed by U.S. firms. Commercial nuclear has become another
industry of the future where the United States is not competitive.
Update: China brings the world's first Generation IV nuclear reactor online.
