Rosatom Looks To Build South African Nuclear Plant

Rosatom said it would also provide South Africa with financing and training.

Russia's state nuclear power company Rosatom says it is prepared to build eight reactors for a planned nuclear power plant in South Africa.

Rosatom chief Sergei Kiriyenko made the statement on November 25 at a business forum in Johannesburg, adding the project is worth some $40 to $50 billion.

Kiriyenko said Russia would also help develop South Africa's entire nuclear industry by providing financing and training, and by helping local businesses produce materials for constructing and maintaining nuclear plants.

Kiriyenko said once the plant is fully functioning, it would be able to generate some 9.6 gigawatts.

South African Energy Minister Benedict Martins said his government would choose a builder for the new plant "somewhere next year."

South Africa has one nuclear power plant at Koeberg that generates about 5 percent of the country's electricity.
Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and Interfax