S. Africa, Russia enhance nuclear cooperation

Russia will assist South Africa in training personnel for its nuclear power industry and in enhancing public awareness of nuclear energy in the African country, it was announced on Thursday.

The South African Department of Energy (DOE) said it has signed two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to this effect with the Russian State Corporation Rosatom.

In accordance with the first document on nuclear training, Russia and South Africa intend to implement several joint projects for education in the nuclear power industry, the DOE said.

The countries will cooperate in order to provide training for five categories of specialists for the South African nuclear industry: nuclear power plant (NPP) personnel, engineers and construction workers, staff for operations not related to the power industry, personnel for nuclear infrastructure, students and teachers, the department said.

In accordance with this memorandum, both parties will strive to realize education programs for 200 South African candidates at Russian universities and educational organizations, said the DOE.

This memorandum also stipulates the development of educational materials and scientific literature on nuclear power, student exchange programs for students of various levels of training, organization of internships and summer courses, student competitions and teacher training.

The second memorandum on public awareness of nuclear energy stipulates joint efforts of the parties aimed at promoting nuclear power in South Africa, increasing the awareness of local residents of modern nuclear technologies used in the power industry and in other industries, and ensuring public acceptance of nuclear power, according to the DOE.

In particular, the parties have agreed to work out a plan for the implementation of a joint communication program to be launched in South Africa, said the department.

The program will involve the organization of round tables and other events aimed at promotion nuclear power and modern nuclear technologies.

Rosatom and the DOE will also consider the creation of a Nuclear Energy Information Center in South Africa, with the aim of enhancing exchanges of information and best practices in the nuclear industry by organizing working visits and international conferences and exhibitions.

The memoranda, signed during the 7th BRICS Summit in Russia, represent another stage in the cooperation between the two countries aimed at strengthening joint efforts in the field of nuclear energy, the DOE said.

In September last year, South Africa and Russia signed an Inter- governmental Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Cooperation in Nuclear Energy and Industry.

Under the agreement, Russia will help South Africa build eight nuclear reactors, with the capacity to build up to 9.6 GW (8 NPP units) of nuclear power plants by 2030. Endi