№ 54, 2024. PIR Center conducted an expert seminar to discuss the report titled «Prospects for Cooperation Between Russia and African and the Persian Gulf States in the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy»

MOSCOW. DECEMBER 11, 2024. PIR PRESS. «Russia maintains long-term prospects for cooperation with Africa due to high demand for electricity, but instability in the region requires a balanced approach to bilateral cooperation», — Grigory G. Shalamov, Chief Specialist of the Africa and Latin America Department at Rosatom.

PIR Center hosted an expert seminar dedicated to exploring opportunities for cooperation between Russia, African countries, and the Persian Gulf states in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The seminar addressed key challenges and prospects, considering the geopolitical, economic, and technological dimensions of collaboration in this area.

The keynote address was delivered by Sviatoslav A. Arov, Research Fellow at PIR Center. He presented the results of a comprehensive study, emphasizing the growing interest of African nations in developing nuclear energy due to population growth and the urgent need for electrification, particularly in regions with limited access to electricity. He highlighted financial and political barriers that hinder the implementation of large-scale projects.

In his speech, Sviatoslav Arov analyzed Russia’s cooperation with South Africa and Egypt, noting both successes and challenges. He mentioned the suspended nuclear power plant project in South Africa due to internal political disagreements and underscored the significance of ongoing collaboration with Egypt, where Russia is building a nuclear power plant with advanced VVER-1200 reactors based on Generation III+ technology. The speaker also emphasized that Iran remains Russia’s key partner in the Persian Gulf, where significant opportunities for enhanced cooperation exist.

Special attention was given to the potential construction of small modular reactors and floating nuclear power plants in African countries.

The session of expert comments opened with remarks by Grigory G. Shalamov, Chief Specialist of the Africa and Latin America Department at Rosatom. He stressed Russia’s long-term potential for cooperation with African countries due to their growing demand for projects in the field of the peaceful use of atomic energy.

Aleksey V. Ubeev, a member of the PIR Center Advisory Board, advocated for a gradual approach to cooperation, suggesting that Russia focus on less expensive projects, such as establishing nuclear research centers and research reactors. He also expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness of floating nuclear power plants, citing the high cost of the electricity they generate and the security challenges in unstable regions of Africa.

Igor S. Vishnevetsky, a Member of the PIR Center Advisory Board, emphasized the importance of the political environment in the development of nuclear energy in Africa and the Gulf states. He noted that despite the active development of collaboration, many African countries remain under the influence of Western states, which restrains their interaction with Russia. “The African continent is now divided between different centers of influence, and this should be taken into account in long-term planning of cooperation in the nuclear sphere,” the expert stressed. Igor Vishnevetsky also highlighted China’s significant presence in the region and the difficulty of implementing major projects due to sanctions and financial constraints.

Vladimir P. Kuchinov, a Member of the PIR Center Advisory Board and Associate Professor of the Department of International Relations at the Institute of International Relations of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, emphasized the importance of countries’ infrastructure being prepared for the implementation of nuclear technologies. He added that the prospects for the peaceful use of nuclear energy extend far beyond the energy sector. “Nuclear medicine, agriculture, and scientific research offer significant opportunities for collaboration that are as important as the construction of nuclear power plants,” he noted.

At the end of the seminar, the participants agreed that the success of nuclear projects in Africa and the Persian Gulf depends on long-term planning and careful consideration of regional political and economic realities.

The recording of the seminar is available here (in Russian)!

Keywords: Nuclear Energy; Peaceful Atom

RUF, AFR, GULF

F4/SOR – 24/12/11