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Investor Services, in line with AFC’s GMTN NUCLEAR the Technical Cooperation Fund for 2021.”
programme. It is also the first Green CHF- As part of implementing the Integrated
denominated issuance from a supranational SA maintains nuclear Resource Plan (IRP) 2019-2030, South Africa
organisation in the Central and Eastern has commenced consultations with suppliers
Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) ambitions of nuclear power reactors to provide costing
region. and schedule information and possible
The issuance underscores the Corporation’s Nuclear power will continue to play a vital ownership models, through a Request for
commitment to sustainable investing role in South Africa’s energy mix, said Information for the 2,500MW programme
principles, and builds on past successful minister of mineral resources and energy, issued in June 2020.
green financing initiatives pursued by the Gwede Mantashe, while delivering his speech Mantashe said “Koeberg is one of our most
Corporation. This includes participation on the occasion of the 64th session of the reliable, efficient, safe and affordable power
in the Global Innovation Lab for Climate International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stations on our electricity grid. We, therefore,
Finance since 2015, as well as becoming general conference. decided to extend the operational life of
the first African Development Financial Mantashe noted that in addition to energy Koeberg nuclear power station by another 20
Institution to secure accreditation with the security, there is a bigger role for nuclear years. The technical and regulatory work has
Green Climate Fund. in clean energy initiatives, to transition the begun.”
The issuance also reaffirms the country from high to low carbon emissions,
Corporation’s commitment to championing while expanding its power sources at the same
sustainability in Africa, whilst diversifying its time.
funding sources and broadening the suite of “I applaud the IAEA for the theme “Atoms HYDRO
products and solutions available to clients. The for Peace and Development”, which directs
objective is to significantly improve Africa’s us to intellectually take up the role of nuclear Ghana begins building Bui
human development, reduce poverty, increase technology. We must educate society that
job creation, industrialisation and climate nuclear is, in many ways, a technology of the HPP
resilience – goals 1, 8, 9 and 13 of the UN’s future.
Sustainable Development Goals. “In a continent like ours, Africa, where The Bui Power Authority (BPA) has just
Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of we are confronted with diseases like cancer, announced the start of construction work on
AFC, commented on the issuance: “Since ebola, malaria and others, the medicinal role a 50 MWp solar photovoltaic power plant near
CO2 emissions records began in 1751, Africa of nuclear is beyond question. South Africa is the Bui hydroelectric dam in the Bono region
has been responsible for less than 0.01% of all committed to contribute towards enhancing of Ghana. This is the first phase of a project
global emissions. Yet, despite its comparatively African development, including through the that will increase the production capacity
low contributions, it is anticipated that peaceful use of nuclear energy, science, and of the Bui hydroelectric power plant by 250
African economies will be significantly technology. COVID-19 has re-emphasised the MWp and its output by 400 MW.
negatively affected in the absence of adapation importance of global solidarity to deal with The Bui Power Authority (BPA) wants
measures, with climate crisis such as droughts these challenges in a collaborative manner,” to produce 650 MW of electricity from the
and cyclones becoming a more frequent crisis said the minister. site of the Bui hydroelectric dam. The public
in recent years. He also expressed South Africa’s support body has thus just launched construction
AFC and commitment to the technical cooperation work on a 250 MW solar photovoltaic power
programme. “I am pleased to announce South plant in the Banda district, Bono region in
Africa’s pledge of an amount of $275,415 to Ghana. Currently, the dam has a capacity of
P12 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 38 24•September•2020