As the world teeters on the edge of an energy crisis, I found myself on a journey of discovery. I sought not only to learn about the different sources of energy that power our modern world, but also to embark on a journey of self-discovery. My mission was both simple and yet complex: to find a source of electricity that could both sustain us and propel Africa to new heights in the age of mechanisation, artificial intelligence and information technology.
This quest required me to engage in a great deal of introspection, evaluating what I had thought to be sound science, and reassessing my beliefs about the motivations and intentions of organisations and individuals within governments, NGOs, academia and industry.
The end result was well worth it. Nuclear energy stands out as a promising source that can help us light up the path to a cleaner, more equitable and more prosperous future.
The limits of renewable energy sources
I completely immersed myself in the world of renewable energy several years ago, eager to explore the potential of wind, solar and waste-to-energy solutions. I also delved into various dubious claims of alternative free-energy devices, including zero-point energy. These clean and green sources of energy captured the imagination of dreamers and capitalists alike, spurring on environmental advocates and igniting a renewal in climate change debates worldwide.
However, as I dug deeper into the science behind these technologies, I began to uncover their limitations and the vast amounts of resources required for their production, deployment and ultimately, disposal. While initially hailed as the shiny new penny of electricity generation, it wasn’t difficult to uncover the shortcomings of an industry that lacked a significant history of commercially viable, stable and cost-effective electricity supply.
The intermittent and unpredictable nature of renewable energy generation, which quickly became apparent, stands in stark contrast to the increasing power demand of industrial economies and urban environments. To maintain supply reliability, vast infrastructure investments are required, adding significant costs to the electricity bills of consumers.
The weight of funding mechanisms employed casts further doubt on the aspirations of a green future, with accumulated capital expenses significantly contributing to the price of renewable electricity production. Structured finance and capital structuring can add anywhere from 20 percent to 40 percent to the cost of electricity, sometimes much more, when amortised and accumulated over the life of the plant.
Resisting the politics of persuasion
In the global political arena, policies such as the Green New Deal aim to combat climate change, encourage the use of renewable energy sources, and promote social and economic equity. Achieving these goals requires significant investment from governments in clean energy infrastructure. However, these policies come with certain caveats that have a wide-ranging impact on how capital is deployed into long-term infrastructure projects that secure the future of societies.
It is important to note that despite government policies dictating capital deployment, citizens are the ones who ultimately fund these initiatives through increased taxes or increased prices. This often leads to market forces, such as supply and demand, being disregarded in favour of politically-motivated ideology, rather than investment in a stable supply of electricity. During my research, I came to the difficult realisation that we are voluntarily giving away our power – both literally and figuratively.
At some point, it becomes necessary for us to stand back on the principles of supply and demand within a free market system and step away from directives, driven by political motivations from those in power. This transition is logical when considering the short-term focus of politics with its election cycles, versus the long-term perspective necessary to develop fundamental societal infrastructure. Therefore, it is imperative that policy is shaped by market and societal demand, rather than by the will of the political class and the champagne socialists spurring them on.
While I acknowledge that renewable energy, particularly waste to energy, can be useful in addressing specific issues, I believe its role is often overstated when it comes to providing consistent and stable sources of electricity for industries and modern societies.
Follow the money
Having made this realisation regarding how politics influences power generation, I moved on to ‘follow the money’, as the saying goes. I began to examine the labyrinth of costs associated with various energy generation methods, searching for a more reliable path forward. This led me to the conclusion that we already have proven, low emission technologies that effectively address our energy needs, and that we should focus on deploying and improving those, rather than pursuing new and untested technologies. Why are we still looking for purple cows like hydrogen and dirty batteries made from material that is neither renewable nor green?
If we are to truly enter an age where we care for both the environment and the prosperity of the people in Africa, we have no other option but to find ways to proliferate nuclear energy generation. And we have to do it quickly.
Seemingly, no one wants to address the elephant, or purple cow, in the room; that is why capital allocation managers in both the public and private sectors are not taking a view on nuclear energy as a long-term, emission-free energy generation solution.
If we are truly interested in transitioning to a sustainable energy age, we need to prioritise practical and dependable solutions as a matter of urgency. I am yet to meet an environmental or humanitarian advocate who does not agree that sustainable solutions could not come fast enough.
The facts and fiction around nuclear energy
Although often surrounded by misunderstandings and apprehension, nuclear energy is a tried and tested technology that has provided millions of safe, constant kilowatt hours of electricity worldwide. Unlike renewable forms of energy, it is not dependent on unpredictable weather conditions and is a reliable source of base-load power.
The most surprising aspect of nuclear energy is that it generates a consistent stream of power with a limited supply of input fuels, in contrast to carbon-intensive alternatives like thermal coal plants or Open Cycle Gas Turbines.
In reality, the secret sauce to the superiority of nuclear energy lies in its exceptional energy density, where a tiny amount of nuclear fuel contains the potential to generate massive amounts of power, generously surpassing that of traditional fossil fuels. As a matter of fact, one kilogram of uranium-235, the isotope utilised in nuclear reactors, has the same energy potential as burning approximately 24,000,000 kilograms of coal.
Safety has always been a huge concern when it comes to nuclear power. However, my experience working alongside reputable nuclear engineers from companies like X-Energy and NuEnergy in the United States, Stratek Global in South Africa, and numerous highly accomplished engineers globally has taught me that modern nuclear reactors employ advanced technologies and stringent safety measures that have significantly reduced risk to almost negligible levels.
Undoubtedly, nuclear power’s impressive safety record has been achieved through a combination of critical factors like the expertise of operators, rigorous oversight from organisations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the explosive technological advancements that underpin nuclear energy.
Nuclear technologies, just like telecommunications and artificial intelligence, have improved significantly over the past decades. Next-generation reactor designs like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and advanced fast reactors offer greater efficiency, improved safety features, and a notable reduction of spent fuel.
SMR’s, in particular, hold the potential to revolutionise the energy landscape by providing scalable and flexible solutions which will be deployed in a variety of settings. A category of the modern Generation IV SMRs are those that are gas-cooled and therefore, do not need to be near any large water-body at all, such as the South African designed HTMR-100 reactor which produces 100MW of heat or 35MW of electricity.
Gas-cooled SMR’s are also set to be a game-changer for African economies, in that they offer solutions for various geographical settings, even those with limited grid infrastructure or without access to large bodies of water for system cooling, which is required by many SMR designs. SMRs are also faster to build. One person who is seeing the reality of this future is Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, who has established the national nuclear energy initiative in the Office of the President.
Although the initial capital investments for nuclear power plants remain higher compared to other power generation methods, the long-term broader economic advantages of minimal fuel requirements, low operating costs, and near-zero emissions make nuclear energy a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and competitive solution in the long run.
Investing efficiently in long-term infrastructure and a cleaner environment is crucial for the prosperity of future generations as well as for the planet. People, planet and profit should not only be a catch phrase, but should inform our approach to the way that we choose long-term infrastructure investments.
The way forward
To me, it’s crystal clear – the way forward lies in nuclear energy, the sole proven source of clean, safe and constant power production. Its significance in the African context cannot be overstated. The European Union classifies nuclear as ‘green’, so it should be able to benefit from green funding initiatives.
However, what we – as Africans – are faced with entails more than simply adopting nuclear technology; we also need to deal with how information is disseminated and verified, given that the truth is often elusive and more often than not, weaponised and exploited by those seeking some form of material benefit for themselves. We must arm ourselves with knowledge and a vision for the future. One in which our people are celebrated as the flowers of our continent, and not merely the labour for its fruits.
Even today, the world of nuclear physics continues to be misunderstood; thus, creating sensationalism, misconceptions and biases concerning nuclear energy. As we march toward a nuclear-powered future, accurate and responsible sharing of information is crucial to debunk myths and to provide ordinary citizens with the knowledge required to advocate for energy policies that unlock both short and long-term opportunities in their economies.
In this journey, scientific advancement and the promotion of accurate information are equally significant in realising a brighter future as well as immediate benefits to the economy. The economy will experience job creation along the value chain, and investment into the economy.
My journey has thankfully evolved into a tale of hope. It is a narrative that concludes with the realisation that responsible citizenship entails equipping ourselves with truth and knowledge. By doing so, we can support the technological and financial advancement required to responsibly improve the world for future generations.
Heeding the call to energy sovereignty in Africa
If we dare transcend popular belief and convenient narratives and strive for a deeper understanding of fundamental societal principles, we can envision a future where energy poverty and hindrances to prosperity are a relic of the past. A future in which Africa takes up the baton as the shining light on the hill, leapfrogging legacy systems and taking the steps necessary to ensure permanent energy sovereignty for its nations.
Innovation and the navigation of nuclear energy’s complexities have served as a guiding compass toward a future in which clean, safe and sustainable power sources flourish.
My journey has revealed a world that stands on the brink of a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow; where humanity possesses the power to illuminate the way toward a cleaner, more equitable and more prosperous future. Let us collectively heed the call to embrace our rights as the citizens of the nations of Mother Africa. A collective call to action to demand that we have the right to choose prosperity over poverty and light over darkness.
My journey of discovery ended where my dream of a prosperous, abundant Africa began – The land of milk and honey that the children of the soil can feel in their bones. And it is time for Africa to start bringing dreams to reality. Rise Africa, Rise!
Olivia Vaughan is Director of Westman Vaughan, a strategy company specialising in circular economy innovation, in which capacity she heads Stakeholder Relations at Stratek Global (Pty) Ltd. – a nuclear project management company based in Pretoria, South Africa. She has a B.(Com) and an MBA.
