Rosatom represented perspectives of cooperation with South Africa in nuclear energy and opportunities for SA industry and economics development. The director of International Business Department of Rosatom Nikolai Drozdov sounded this topic in the appropriate  report during the Nuclear Africa 2014 Conference in Midrand, South Africa.

Minister of Energy (South Africa) Ben Martins, representatives of Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa, the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation and South-African universities took part in the Conference.

“We confirm our intentions to establish strategic partnership with South Africa which will allow to develop South African nuclear power generation complex greatly. The basis of this cooperation can be arranged according to the plan for the construction of new power units with a total installed capacity of 9,6 GW  which is declared by the South African Government. The Rosatom comprehensive approach to the construction of nuclear power plants is absolutely unique. The company’s integrated offer contains a full range of the nuclear power industry products and services, including fuel supply for NPPs, management of its lifecycle, staff training and various financial solutions” N. Drozdov pointed out.

Implementation of projects with Rosatom  will let South African Government get  high taxes from salaries and company profits, higher employment and improved GDP per capita. Cooperation with Russian nuclear industry sector will let local enterprises get not only revenue generation but also technological development.

According to experts estimates the implementation of the South African nuclear generation development program together with Rosatom will allow to create 15,000 additional jobs in construction, service and operation of the new units, increase the revenue of South African companies for $ 16 bln. and ensure $ 3,4  bln. tax revenues to the country’s budget.

Development of cooperation between Russia and South Africa in staff training  holds promise. Russian part is already ready to educate South African students in Russian institutes which train specialists for nuclear industry sector in the nearest future.

Rosatom has own history of cooperation with Africa in nuclear sphere. With the Republic of South Africa cooperation is the most lasting and dates back to 1995 with the supply of enriched uranium supplies for the Koeberg Power Station in Cape Town. In order to enhance the relationship Rusatom Overseas JSC joined the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa as a member-sponsor in March 2012. And in June 2012, a Memorandum of Understanding between Rusatom Overseas JSC and the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation was signed. In November 2013 NIAEP-ASE, National Energy Corporation of South Africa and NUKEM Technologies (Germany, 100% subsidiary of “Atomstroyexport”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the development of strategic partnerships in areas of engineering, design, procurement and construction of complex engineering facilities.