Rwanda is looking to expand electricity access, support industrial growth and reduce dependence on fossil fuels as it increasingly explores nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy strategy.

As part of that plan, the country is considering Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), a newer generation of nuclear reactors seen as more suitable for countries with smaller electricity grids and growing energy demand.

Unlike conventional nuclear power plants, which are large facilities capable of producing more than 1,000 megawatts of electricity, SMRs are smaller and more flexible reactors designed to generate up to 300 megawatts per unit.

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SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that generate electricity through nuclear fission, a process that releases heat by splitting atoms. Compared to traditional nuclear plants, they have a much smaller physical footprint and lower power output.

They are also modular, meaning many of their components are factory-built and transported to the site for assembly rather than being constructed entirely on location.

This approach is expected to reduce construction time, lower upfront costs and allow for more flexible deployment.

Some SMRs are also designed to operate for several years without refueling, while newer microreactors, a smaller category within SMRs, can produce up to 10 megawatts and operate in remote or off-grid locations.

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Rwanda’s consideration

One of the main reasons Rwanda is considering SMRs instead of traditional nuclear plants is the size of its electricity system.

Experts say that a single power plant should not produce more than about 10 per cent of the total electricity a country’s grid can handle at once. If a plant is too large compared to the system, it can put pressure on the network and make electricity supply less stable.

Rwanda’s electricity network is still growing, making it better suited to smaller power plants that can be added gradually as demand increases.

SMRs can be introduced in phases without overloading the existing grid, while still boosting the country’s power supply.

They also take up less space than large nuclear plants, meaning they could be built in more locations across the country, depending on safety and technical requirements.

SMRs are seen as part of wider climate and economic plans. They support economic growth while reducing the use of fossil fuels such as diesel and coal, which release carbon dioxide when burned.

This gas contributes to air pollution and climate change. SMRs, on the other hand, generate heat through nuclear fission, a process that produces no carbon dioxide during electricity generation.

SMRs are safe

Compared to older nuclear reactor designs, many proposed SMRs rely more heavily on passive safety systems. These systems use natural processes such as gravity, convection and natural circulation rather than requiring active human intervention or external power to shut down safely during emergencies.

Experts say this significantly lowers the risk of severe accidents or radioactive releases.

Rwanda expects SMRs to require less frequent refuelling than conventional reactors. Some designs may operate for between three and seven years before needing new fuel, while others are being designed to function for decades without refueling.

According to the country’s atomic energy authorities, the government completed a pre-feasibility study for the SMR project in 2024. The study assessed whether SMRs could provide viable short- and long-term energy solutions for the country’s socio-economic development.

The study identified and ranked several potential sites for future SMR deployment, with additional studies expected before any final site selection is made.

The process involves building comprehensive nuclear infrastructure, including regulatory systems, skilled personnel, safety frameworks, waste management systems and security measures required to support a peaceful nuclear programme.