APA – Kigali (Rwanda) – – Rwanda on Tuesday concluded a deal with Dual Fluid Energy Inc.- a Canadian-German leading nuclear technology firm to start constructing the first demonstration Dual Fluid nuclear reactor to be operational by 2026.
Under the deal, Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) agreed to provide the site and infrastructure, while Dual Fluid will take on responsibility for the technical implementation of the project.
Equally beneficial, Rwandan scientists will be given practical training in the field of nuclear technology.
“In order to meet the growing energy demand of its population, to boost the development of its industrial sector, and to build an economy that is resilient to climate change, Rwanda is looking at nuclear energy to add unto its already existing energy generation mix,” Fidel Ndahayo, the Chief Executive at RAEB said.
Rwanda has so far established strategic cooperation partnerships with start-up companies involved in the design and development of small modular nuclear reactor technologies.
Officials predict that the new reactors can be used to produce electricity, hydrogen, and synthetic fuels at costs below those of fossil fuels.
Dual Fluid CEO Götz Ruprecht: “Time is a critical factor for our technology. After years of detailed preparation and improving the concept in theory, we are now convinced that we have found an ideal partner for the first realization of our groundbreaking technology,” he said.
According to him, the reason Dual Fluid chose to invest in Rwanda is because of its highly favorable governance and business environment that has already attracted major international players.
“Our demonstration reactor will show that a better, far more efficient way of generating nuclear energy is possible and within reach in the near future,” he said.
Rwanda has so far partnered with Russia to train nuclear scientists and construct a training center and research reactor in Kigali.
CU/as/APA