Monday, March 3, 2008 - Web posted at 6:34:58 GMT
Govt plans to set up nuclear reactor
BRIGITTE WEIDLICH
GOVERNMENT has decided to opt for nuclear power generation and has approved the construction of nuclear power plants and to allow uranium enrichment on Namibian soil, despite environmental dangers such as long-term radiation from nuclear waste for over 200 000 years, storage of atomic waste and nuclear plants having a short lifespan of just 40 years before having to shut down for good.
"Cabinet granted approval to the Ministry of Mines and Energy to develop a Nuclear Regulatory Framework and to pursue the nuclear power and uranium beneficiation strategy," the latest Cabinet briefing paper says.
South Africa recently also decided to build a uranium enrichment facility.
"(The decision will) provide for a long-term solution to the shortfall in electricity generation capacity and to enable the vast uranium resources of the country to be processed to the benefit of the country," the Cabinet paper, issued on Friday, states.
"Namibia has significant uranium reserves and the country can gain more if these reserves could have value added locally - being uranium enrichment - prior to export."
Before Namibia can build either nuclear power stations or uranium processing plants, it requires a nuclear regulatory framework to be developed in conjunction with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Experts will have to work together with legal drafters from the Office of the Attorney General to develop a regulatory framework that provides for nuclear safety to cover the duties and responsibilities of a future nuclear regulator to be set up.
The proposed new law is to clearly state the Government's requirements for the licensing, building, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of all nuclear establishments and facilities, including nuclear power plants.
The bill will also have to include procedures for the transport and storage of atomic waste.
"The electricity shortages being experienced in southern Africa are expected to persist for many years," the Cabinet briefing paper said.
"New electricity generation capacity installation appears to have become the trend worldwide towards achieving energy self-sufficiency, of which the Southern African region and Namibia in particular should be no exception."
According to a submission that the Energy Ministry made to Cabinet, beneficiated, or enriched, uranium is currently selling at US$3 000 a kilogramme, compared to roughly US$100 per kg for yellowcake, which is the only form of uranium produced in Namibia so far.
"The cost of producing enriched uranium depends on the processing level and electricity cost, but a net profit margin of at least US$1 000 per kg can be expected (when selling it)," according to the Cabinet document.
"Energy produced by nuclear power stations is considered carbon free, especially if its fuel is processed using nuclear-generated electricity."
However, according to international environmental organisations, enrichment of uranium and production of nuclear fuel rods for such power plants are regarded as highly energy intensive and a high amount of carbon dioxide is produced in the process.
According to AFP news agency, the French state-owned nuclear company Areva has bid for a contract to construct up to 12 smaller nuclear plants in South Africa until 2025.
The first one, Nuclear 1, entails a 3 000 megawatt (MW) plant to cost N$120 billion.
It is to be up and running by 2016.
South Africa's power utility Eskom will decide by June this year whether to grant Areva or US rival Westinghouse the contract.
Eskom has asked for bids for more nuclear power plants of 20 000 MW total capacity to be constructed in South Africa before 2025, worth another N$580 billion.
Tenders for bidders close later this year.
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Mines in Namibia has established a Uranium Stewardship Committee (USC) due to the rapidly growing uranium industry in the country and in response to the world's demand for uranium.
The primary mandate of the USC is to safeguard the interests of the uranium industry in Namibia, the Chamber announced on Thursday.
The establishment of the USC is in line with the World Nuclear Association's recently published stewardship principles, which advocates for collective responsibility and commitment by all players to the safe and responsible management of uranium products.
The Chamber of Mines of Namibia will put up an office in Swakopmund to develop minimum standards for environmental health and environmental management for uranium mines and to assist with a Regional Strategic Environmental Management Plan (SEMP).
This is being done with participation of public and private stakeholders and in conjunction with the Southern African Institute for Environmental Assessment (SAIEA), the World Nuclear Association (WNA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Standards and Strategic Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) will not only guide the Members of the Chamber but will set goals that uranium mining companies not yet members of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia might also want to follow suit.
The chairperson of the USC is Michael Leech, Managing Director of Roessing Uranium, one of two existing uranium mines in Namibia.
"The uranium exploration and mining industry in Namibia has a collective responsibility for leading practice in the stewardship of its product," Leech said in the Chamber's statement.
"The USC and its members are fully aware of the need to support the principle of leading practice … we are committed to minimise any departures from leading practice.
We are taking action to back up that awareness, to build confidence in our industry and to provide leadership to others".
http://www.namibian.com.na/2008/March/national/08ED182CD1.html
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