SOCHI, May 16 (RIA Novosti) – President Vladimir Putin reiterated on Thursday Russia is ready to assist South Africa develop an advanced nuclear power industry.
Putin made the statement at a meeting with South African President Jacob Zuma in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, where the two leaders continued the dialogue they began at the BRICS summit in Durban in March 2013, when Putin first mentioned the possibility of Russia’s involvement with South African nuclear power projects.
“Russia stands ready to help create a comprehensive nuclear power industry in South Africa,” Putin told reporters after the meeting on Thursday.
He also confirmed the two countries will join forces on other energy projects, including development of alternative energy sources.
Putin said at the Durban summit that Russia could help South Africa with extraction of raw materials, construction of nuclear power plants and research reactors, design and domestic production of nuclear power equipment, with Russian credit support.
South Africa has two nuclear reactors which generate five percent of its electricity.
Government commitment to the future of nuclear energy is strong, with firm plans for further 9,600 MW capacity in the next decade, but the plan faces severe financial constraints, according to the World Nuclear Association.