Russia to help with Ethiopia’s nuclear energy ambitions

Ethiopia and Russia agreed on Friday to boost cooperation in nuclear energy during a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Speaking to local and international media, Lavrov said Russia will assist Ethiopia’s nuclear energy ambitions as part of efforts to strengthen political, economic and cultural ties between the two nations.

“Right now, talks are ongoing on establishing a nuclear research center based on already existing Russian-designed research reactors,” he said.

“The work is progressing in a good pace and there are no significant delays,” Lavrov said. “It’s also going to be accelerated even further once the necessary intergovernmental agreements that need to be signed are ratified.”

Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu, for his part, said Ethiopia sees development of nuclear energy as part of its energy security plan.

“We agreed and we’re proceeding to work on nuclear energy for peaceful purpose,” he said.

Ethiopia is undertaking an ambitious energy development project to increase its installed electricity capacity from the current 4,200 MW to 37,000 MW by 2037 through development of hydro, geothermal, nuclear, solar and wind energy projects.