Mako Jerera
Zimbabwe and Russia this week signed an undertaking which will see the two countries collaborating in setting up a nuclear power station in Zimbabwe.
The power station is expected to provide alternative sources of energy to the country, facing years of constant power cuts in the country.
Speaking during yesterday`s post cabinet briefing, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said cabinet has given green light to the project.
“Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation. The Memorandum seeks to facilitate higher level cooperation between the two countries in the use of nuclear energy,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said climate change has made power generation difficult for the past few years and such a project may end up cushioning the country from energy shortages.
“Zimbabwe has not be spared from the impact of climate change which has, among other effects, seen the decline of water levels in Lake Kariba. Alternate sources of energy will remove dependence on Lake Kariba. The anticipated co-operation in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes will provide alternative sources of energy which Zimbabwe needs,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
This comes as a follow up to previous engagements, in 2019, late Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo visited the Kremlin, Russia, where he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation in the “peaceful use” of nuclear power.
Upon his arrival from Russia last year, SB Moyo said Zimbabwe had agreed terms with Russia to engage in uranium exploration and enrichment in a bid to commence power generation. “This was cooperation in exploration and other areas and research in as far as peaceful use of nuclear energy is concerned.”
Former energy minister Fortune Chasi told parliament last year that his ministry was in the process of coming up with a national integrated energy resource plan.
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