Review Article | | Peer-Reviewed

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

Received: 9 October 2024     Accepted: 30 October 2024     Published: 26 November 2024
Views:       Downloads:
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.

Published in Nuclear Science (Volume 9, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ns.20240904.11
Page(s) 71-81
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Nuclear Energy, Sustainable Energy, Safety, Nuclear Reactor, Rwanda

References
[1] NISR (2022) 5th Population and Housing Census Rwanda - Booklet. National Institute of Statistics Rwanda.
[2] World Atlas (2017) Rwandan Maps & Facts.
[3] REG (2022) Annual report 2021-2022. Rwanda Energy Group.
[4] Mukeshimana MC, Zhao ZY, Nshimiyimana JP (2021) Evaluating strategies for renewable energy development in Rwanda: An integrated SWOT - ISM analysis. Renew Energy 176: 402-414.
[5] MININFRA (2018) Energy Sector Strategic Plan (2018/19 - 2023/24). Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda.
[6] REG Generation.
[7] The Government of Rwanda (2017) 7 Years Government Programme: National Strategy for Transformation (NST1).
[8] REG (2022) Least Cost Power Development Plan: June 2022.
[9] REG (2022) Annual report 2021-2022. Rwanda Energy Group.
[10] United Nations (2015) The 17 Goals.
[11] ROSATOM (2019) Rwanda to get nuclear research centre in 5 years. JSC Rusatom Energy International.
[12] The New Times (2020) Rwanda accelerates nuclear energy efforts.
[13] REG (2019) Rwanda Least Cost Power Development Plan (LCPDP) 2019-2040. Rwanda Energy Group.
[14] (2023) Least Cost Power Development Plan: December 2023.
[15] Uwisengeyimana JDD, Teke A, Ibrikci T (2017) Current Overview of Renewable Energy Resources in Rwanda. Journal of Energy and Natural Resources 5: 92-97.
[16] Africa Press (2022) Weather agency warns of landslides despite reduced rainfall - Rwanda.
[17] United Nations. Economic Commission for Africa (2020). On sustainable development goal 7: the "SDG7 initiative for Africa": Accelerating clean energy investments for access and climate ambition in Africa. Addis Ababa, UNECA.
[18] Republic of Rwanda (2020) Vision 2050.
[19] IAEA (2022) What is Nuclear Energy? The Science of Nuclear Power. International Atomic Energy Agency.
[20] Nuclear Engineering International (2021) Rosatom to begin work on land-based SMR.
[21] World Nuclear Association (2022) Nuclear Energy and Sustainable Development.
[22] IAEA (2016) Nuclear Power and Sustainable Development. Non-serial publications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna.
[23] Ming Z, Yingxin L, Shaojie O, et al (2016) Nuclear energy in the Post-Fukushima Era: Research on the developments of the Chinese and worldwide nuclear power industries. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 58: 147-156.
[24] IAEA (2022) Nuclear Power Reactors in the World. Reference Data Series No. 2, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna.
[25] IAEA (2022) New IAEA Publication on Climate Change and Nuclear Power Highlights Potential in Africa. International Atomic Energy Agency.
[26] IAEA (2022) IAEA Nuclear Safety and Security Glossary. International Atomic Energy Agency.
[27] International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group (1996) Defence in Depth in Nuclear Safety. INSAG Series No. 10. IAEA, Vienna.
[28] Goldbert SM, Rosner R (2011) Nuclear Reactors: Generation to Generation. American Academy of Arts.
[29] Huke A, Ruprecht G, Weißbach D, et al (2015) The Dual Fluid Reactor - A novel concept for a fast nuclear reactor of high efficiency. Ann Nucl Energy 80: 225-235.
[30] Nuclear Engineering International (2022) Reinvented: The Dual Fluid principle - Nuclear Engineering International.
[31] Dual Fluid Energy Inc. (2023) Dual Fluids signs cooperation agreement with Rwanda - Dual Fluid.
[32] World Nuclear News (2023) Demonstration reactor to be built in Rwanda : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News. In: Web Article.
[33] IAEA (2024), Nuclear Power Reactors in the World, Reference Data Series No. 2, 2024 Edition, Vienna.
[34] World Nuclear Association (2023) Nuclear Power in the World Today.
[35] IAEA (2023) Power Reactor Information System (PRIS).
[36] Statista (2023) World electricity generation share by source 2021 | Statista.
[37] IAEA (2023) Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Estimates for the Period up to 2050. Reference data series No. 1, 2023 Edition.
[38] World Nuclear Association (2022) Economics of Nuclear Power.
[39] US Office of Nuclear Energy (2021) Advantages and Challenges of Nuclear Energy.
[40] Sovacool BK, Brown MA (2010) Competing dimensions of energy security: An international perspective. Annu Rev Environ Resour 35: 77-108.
[41] Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (2020) 5 Things you need to know about Rwanda Atomic Energy Board.
[42] The New Times (2019) Russian state-owned nuclear body to help build Rwanda’s atomic energy centre.
[43] Republic of Rwanda, Presidential Order Establishing Rwanda Atomic Energy Board, Law determining the State finances for the 2022/2023 fiscal year, Official Gazette n° Special of 04/12/2020,
[44] MININFRA (2019) Rwanda and Russia signs to establish nuclear science center in Kigali.
[45] ROSATOM (2020) SMR in the Making.
[46] IAEA (2022) Small Modular Reactors: A new nuclear energy paradigm.
[47] MININFRA (2020) Rwanda Atomic Energy Board to coordinate nuclear energy technologies, Minister Gatete.
[48] Would Rwanda become a hub for global SMR vendors? — Nuclear Business Platform.
[49] (2023) THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA STATEMENT AT THE 67 TH REGULAR SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA).
[50] Caruso G (2012) 4 - Regulatory requirements and practices in nuclear power programmes. In: Alonso A (ed) Infrastructure and Methodologies for the Justification of Nuclear Power Programmes. Woodhead Publishing, pp 94-125.
[51] IAEA Nuclear Energy Series Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power No. NG-G-3.1 (Rev. 1) Technical Reports Guides Objectives Basic Principles Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power
[52] IAEA (2016) Building a National Position for a New Nuclear Power Programme, IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NG-T-3.14.
[53] IAEA (2024) Small Modular Reactors: Advances in SMR Developments 2024, Non-serial Publications.
[54] Vlahoplus C, Lawrie S Small Modular Reactors-A Viable Option for a Clean Energy Future? Kenan-Flagler Energy Center.
[55] Lokhov, A., Sozoniuk, V., Rothwell, et al. (2016). Small modular reactors: Nuclear energy market potential for near-term deployment (No. NEA--7213). Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development.
[56] David Dalton (2020) Generation IV / Economic Modelling Compares Costs of SMR To Conventional PWR.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Butera, Y., Nshimiyimana, J. P. (2024). Prospects of Nuclear Energy for Clean and Sustainable Energy Development in Rwanda. Nuclear Science, 9(4), 71-81. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ns.20240904.11

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Butera, Y.; Nshimiyimana, J. P. Prospects of Nuclear Energy for Clean and Sustainable Energy Development in Rwanda. Nucl. Sci. 2024, 9(4), 71-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ns.20240904.11

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Butera Y, Nshimiyimana JP. Prospects of Nuclear Energy for Clean and Sustainable Energy Development in Rwanda. Nucl Sci. 2024;9(4):71-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ns.20240904.11

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ns.20240904.11,
      author = {Yves Butera and Jean Pierre Nshimiyimana},
      title = {Prospects of Nuclear Energy for Clean and Sustainable Energy Development in Rwanda
    },
      journal = {Nuclear Science},
      volume = {9},
      number = {4},
      pages = {71-81},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ns.20240904.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ns.20240904.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ns.20240904.11},
      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.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Prospects of Nuclear Energy for Clean and Sustainable Energy Development in Rwanda
    
    AU  - Yves Butera
    AU  - Jean Pierre Nshimiyimana
    Y1  - 2024/11/26
    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ns.20240904.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ns.20240904.11
    T2  - Nuclear Science
    JF  - Nuclear Science
    JO  - Nuclear Science
    SP  - 71
    EP  - 81
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2640-4346
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ns.20240904.11
    AB  - 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.
    
    VL  - 9
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Sections