Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe is developing the institutional, technical and human-resource capacity required for the safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy, with the government considering nuclear power as part of its long-term strategy to secure a stable electricity supply.
Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo made the announcement while addressing the 70th Regular General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, this week.
Moyo said nuclear science and technology had become an important component of Zimbabwe’s development agenda as the country sought to support industrialisation and achieve its Vision 2030 objectives.
“In line with our national energy development strategy, Zimbabwe is actively pursuing the development of the necessary national infrastructure and capabilities for the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear energy,” Moyo said.
He said nuclear power was being considered as part of Zimbabwe’s long-term energy strategy, while the country was closely following developments in advanced nuclear technologies, particularly Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Moyo said Zimbabwe was simultaneously building the institutional, human-resource, regulatory and technical foundations required to support a future nuclear power programme.
The minister announced that the Centre for Education, Innovation, Research and Development (CEIRD) had signed a business agreement with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to undertake a preliminary feasibility study on the potential deployment of the Innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR).
He said the study would help Zimbabwe assess advanced reactor technology while developing national expertise and institutional capacity to inform future policy and investment decisions.
The IAEA says countries considering nuclear power need to develop comprehensive national infrastructure covering areas including legal and regulatory frameworks, safety, security, human resources and institutional capacity. Its Milestones Approach is designed to help newcomer countries assess and build such infrastructure.
Moyo said Zimbabwe’s nuclear ambitions extended beyond electricity generation, with nuclear science already being applied in healthcare and agriculture.
