Russian PM jets in: Nuke power on the agenda

RUSSIA has intensified its efforts to set up a nuclear power plant in Namibia with the visit, on Saturday, of its Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov to Windhoek.

During a brief stopover, Fradkov held private talks with President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Prime Minister Nahas Angula. Afterwards he said his country was considering the construction of mini-plants and floating nuclear power plants that would use uranium or operate without using it.”These are issues still to be discussed,” he told reporters when asked about Russia’s plans for a nuclear power plant in Namibia.He said his discussions with Namibian leaders centred around co-operation in prospecting for oil, natural gas, diamonds, gold and copper deposits.Russia has already expressed willingness to participate in the development of mineral deposits in Namibia.The Russian Prime Minister did not divulge specifics – such as which companies could come to Namibia.He said both Pohamba and Angula had invited more Russian companies to come and invest.Fradkov said there was a general desire to move towards the strengthening of economic ties.Russian companies Techsnabexport, Renova and Vneshtorgbank have already established a joint venture to produce uranium in Namibia.Russian Natural Resources Minister Yury Trutnev said earlier that Renova had won a tender to develop two uranium deposits in Namibia, whereas Russia’s state-run foreign-trade bank Vneshtorgbank had received its licence earlier.Prime Minister Angula confirmed earlier that Namibia and Russia were discussing the possible use of Russian nuclear technology to make up for Namibia’s energy deficit.Namibia expects a reduction in energy supplies from South Africa in the next three years and forecasts an energy deficit of 300 megawatts.In January, the Renova Group, a management company, and Techsnabexport, Russia’s state-run nuclear exporter, signed a co-operation agreement to set up joint ventures as part of a joint investment project to prospect and develop uranium deposits in Africa and Asia.Techsnabexport and Russia’s leading asset management company, headed by tycoon Viktor Vekselberg, plan to set up joint ventures in South Africa, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.Afterwards he said his country was considering the construction of mini-plants and floating nuclear power plants that would use uranium or operate without using it.”These are issues still to be discussed,” he told reporters when asked about Russia’s plans for a nuclear power plant in Namibia.He said his discussions with Namibian leaders centred around co-operation in prospecting for oil, natural gas, diamonds, gold and copper deposits.Russia has already expressed willingness to participate in the development of mineral deposits in Namibia.The Russian Prime Minister did not divulge specifics – such as which companies could come to Namibia.He said both Pohamba and Angula had invited more Russian companies to come and invest.Fradkov said there was a general desire to move towards the strengthening of economic ties.Russian companies Techsnabexport, Renova and Vneshtorgbank have already established a joint venture to produce uranium in Namibia. Russian Natural Resources Minister Yury Trutnev said earlier that Renova had won a tender to develop two uranium deposits in Namibia, whereas Russia’s state-run foreign-trade bank Vneshtorgbank had received its licence earlier.Prime Minister Angula confirmed earlier that Namibia and Russia were discussing the possible use of Russian nuclear technology to make up for Namibia’s energy deficit.Namibia expects a reduction in energy supplies from South Africa in the next three years and forecasts an energy deficit of 300 megawatts.In January, the Renova Group, a management company, and Techsnabexport, Russia’s state-run nuclear exporter, signed a co-operation agreement to set up joint ventures as part of a joint investment project to prospect and develop uranium deposits in Africa and Asia.Techsnabexport and Russia’s leading asset management company, headed by tycoon Viktor Vekselberg, plan to set up joint ventures in South Africa, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.