The Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) has established a partnership with Nano Nuclear Energy, a company based in the US, to consider the implementation of small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors. RAEB stated that the goal of this collaboration is to meet Rwanda’s energy needs in a more sustainable and secure way.
RAEB CEO Fidele Ndahayo noted, “With ongoing advancements in small modular reactor technology, Rwanda aims to be part of this development process. This will enable us to adopt the technology once it becomes available.”
The agreement includes provisions for Nano Nuclear Energy to offer technical support, training, and educational programs to develop a skilled workforce in nuclear energy within Rwanda.
James Walker, CEO of Nano Energy, remarked that the agreement represents the start of a more extensive and enduring collaboration to harness Rwanda’s vast potential.
In September 2023, RAEB also entered into a partnership with the Canadian-German start-up Dual Fluid Energy to develop a Dual Fluid reactor demonstration project in Rwanda. This reactor is expected to be operational by 2026, with full testing of the technology projected to conclude by 2028. The Rwandan government has pledged to provide the necessary site and infrastructure for this initiative.
Rwanda currently has a total electricity generation capacity of 332.6 MWe, predominantly from hydropower, supplemented by methane, solar, and peat. Additionally, in 2020, Russia agreed to build a Center for Nuclear Science & Technology in Rwanda, including a research reactor and associated laboratories. Meanwhile, the first 50 Rwandan students are studying nuclear-related fields in Russia.