Nuclear experts meet over choice of site for Nigeria’s nuclear power plant
Monday, January 14, 2008
Nuclear scientists from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have visited Nigeria to open discussions on how to commence work on the building of Nigeria’s first Nuclear power plant by 2017.
The scientists who arrived Abuja met with the Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhere to resolve issues bothering on the proper location to site the project. The meeting also targets providing opportunity for increased electricity generation for the country.
The Nuclear Power plant, which is expected to churn out 1, 000 Megawatt of electricity into the National grid, will be expanded to 4, 000Mw by 2027.
Ekpiwhere told the nuclear experts that the decision on the exact location of the nuclear plant would be taken by all stakeholders in conjunction with the Federal Government.
According to the minister, the choice of nuclear power plant for Nigeria as an option for generating electricity coincides with the world’s renewed vigour for such an option, saying Nigeria is among 29 countries currently pursuing the same agenda.
“The plan, if meticulously implemented is expected to generate at least 1, 000Mw from the successful deployment of nuclear power plants in the next ten years, and would gradually increase this capacity to 4000Mw by 2027â€, she said.
On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Dr. Erepamo Osaisai told his guests that Nigerian experts had combed the country and proposed several sites.
Already, a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Site Selection has been inaugurated with a mandate to “carry out technical studies to characterize the geology, seismic, soil properties, hydrology, meteorological parameters as well as nearness to the electricity grid.
The possible impact of nuclear power plants on human settlements, population’s density, flora and fauna are important environmental issues considered paramount in the sitting of nuclear power plants. The safety, security and social issues entailed in the operation of nuclear power plants are also significant as to influence its location.â€
Daily Sun
January 14, 2008.
http://odili.net/news/source/2008/jan/14/502.html
Nigeria has big problems; academicians that suppose to talk against it are silent. The country should look inward; Russia will not be there if there is an emergency.
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