On Thursday, Uganda announced plans to diversify its electricity sources and speed its energy transition by generating at least 1,000 MW from nuclear power by 2031 as part of its climate change response.
President Yoweri Museveni has expressed his administration’s eagerness to harness Uganda’s uranium reserves for the purpose of developing the country’s nuclear energy capacity.
Uganda, an east African nation, has agreed to have the China National Nuclear Company (CNNC) aid it in developing its infrastructure for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Energy and Minerals Minister Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu announced in a statement that the country’s first nuclear project, Buyende Nuclear Power Station, would be built in Buyende, around 150 km (93 miles) north of the capital Kampala.
She explained that work is already underway to assess the Buyende Nuclear Power Plant site in order to clear the way for the country’s first nuclear power plant, which is projected to generate 2,000 MW and link its first 1,000 MW to the national grid by 2031.
Uganda is taking “decisive moves” to add nuclear power to its mix of electricity generation sources in order to guarantee “energy security” and “supply sufficient electricity for industrialization.”
