- Burundi’s electrification rate is only 13%.
- Burundi negotiates possible ways with Russia to incorporate nuclear energy.
The Minister of Energy and Mines, Burundi Ibrahim Uwizeye, “We know that Russia is a country with zero nuclear accidents. It also develops small energy module reactors, which is what our country needs”.
Uwizeye stated that Burundi’s electrification rate is only 13%, and he intends to negotiate possible ways with Russia to incorporate nuclear energy into the country’s energy mix and increase energy access. In April 2021, the Russian state atomic agency (Rosatom) and the Burundi Ministry of Energy and Mines signed a memorandum of mutual understanding on cooperation in using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Following Uwizeye’s visit on Monday, the two parties signed a roadmap for developing dialogue on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. This will give Rosatom an assessment of the prospects of building a nuclear power plant in Burundi. The roadmap involves plans for cooperation between the two countries for 2022-2024 in the area of nuclear energy, including nuclear power plant construction and training of local personnel.