Various researchers and scientists say that the world is on the brink of nuclear energy renaissance, and developing countries can benefit from it by moving quickly now. Ethiopia, alongside space science, is striving to harness nuclear technology for its own economic needs – both thought to be a ‘luxury’ for developing countries.
Indeed, Ethiopia has already outlined a vision to harness nuclear technology for energy, health and agricultural uses, and the government has been working to raise public awareness of nuclear technology and its application. In recent times alone, Ethiopia has signed Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in peaceful uses of atomic energy with Russian Nuclear Technology Agency, ROSATOM, with an aim to develop nuclear infrastructure in Ethiopia.
In an interview he held with The Ethiopian Press Agency some time ago, Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Eng. Getahun Mekuria has said that fulfilling the ever increasing energy demands of the growing economy, and the fact that the country’s energy supply is interdependent on climate (alongside other pushing factors) means that there is an economic need for nuclear energy for Ethiopia. Mentioning how nuclear energy requires less space to generate the same amount of power generated by the country’s dams and other energy sources, he argued nuclear technology can become a more viable option for energy production. And while nuclear energy is expensive compared to hydro, wind, solar and other sources, the Minister believes that its benefits far outweighs its cost as its economical use of space, and safety/durability is much more cost effective.
The technology is about providing energy supply that is not interrupted due to climate issues or any other external factors. It is also about being capable of shouldering the growing economy always, as it is impossible to fulfill the country’s energy demand in ten or fifteen years through dams and reservoirs alone, he noted.
Again, using nuclear technology for Ethiopia is not only about fulfilling the country’s growing current and especially future energy demand that is expanding along with the economy, but about having a use for it in medical, industrial and agricultural sector
. And with this in mind, the country needs to start its preparation on nuclear technology early. According to Sandokan Debebe, Director General of Technology and Innovation Institute, there have been many works done in regards to allow Ethiopia to benefit from nuclear technology. He added that one of the many works that are being done is the effort to establish an independent institution that plans, budgets and oversees the overall development of nuclear technology, and the Ministry is working to achieve this goal.
“If we go according to the plan, Sandokan continued, the goal is to setup an independent institute that trains manpower, designs programs, and provides the infrastructure that is in general able to lead the (nuclear) technology and programs. We are also currently working to prepare a nuclear roadmap.”
In addition, the Director General went on to say, there are already other projects that are being crafted in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which includes building research reactor.
Ethiopia and IAEA have signed Ethiopia’s Country Program Framework (CPF) for the period of five years (2018–2023), a frame of reference for the medium-term planning of technical cooperation between a Member State and the IAEA. The framework is already signed, documented and being implemented, said Sandokan, who is also National Liaison Assistant (NLA) to the IAEA and Ministry of Innovation and Technology.
“Last year Russia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ethiopia to support us in this regard.” And there are also other initiatives that have been undertaken as well, he added.
Furthermore, Sandokan mentioned that they are looking on ways they can capitalize on some opportunities that comes at their way, like involving some volunteers that are highly educated and have wealth of experience from working in scientifically developed countries. Harnessing Ethiopia’s scientific diaspora in this regard can help hasten the country’s aim of using nuclear technology for development purposes.
The government has identified areas where such technology might be usefully deployed. “For the time being we are prioritizing and investing on the health sector, where nuclear medicine is being used on seven expansion project, including at Black Lion Specialized Hospital, and the needed instruments are being brought in.” There are also various projects that are being undertaken in the agriculture sector as well.
As to him, the aim is to move onto the energy sector next, and the then the industry; making health, energy and industry sectors the three pillar of our endeavor.
Ethiopia is already working on to build the competence and capability needed to use nuclear technology for its national development goals and aspirations, and the country is making a good stride in this effort.
The Ethiopian Herald February 27, 2019
BY ROBEL YOHANNES
