Cost of planned Bugesera nuclear science centre cut to $500 million

Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) has revised down the estimated cost of its planned Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST) to about $500 million, down from an earlier estimate of $800 million. Fidele Ndahayo, CEO of RAEB, provided the update on July 21 during the conclusion of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review mission for Research Reactors (INIR-RR), conducted from July 13-21, to assess Rwanda’s preparedness to develop its first research reactor project. ALSO READ: Bugesera could host Rwanda's nuclear science centre The mission followed an INIR assessment conducted in March that reviewed Rwanda’s preparedness for a nuclear power programme. Unlike the earlier review, which focused on infrastructure for nuclear electricity generation, the INIR-RR mission assessed Rwanda’s readiness to establish a research reactor to support applications in healthcare, agriculture, industry, education and scientific research. Both reviews were conducted using the IAEA’s Milestones Approach and assessed 19 nuclear infrastructure areas, including legal frameworks, safety, regulatory capacity, human resources and financing arrangements. “Normally, after a feasibility study is conducted, the estimated funds required to implement the project are provided. The study showed that the cost could reach $800 million for the entire centre to be developed. However, after further discussions and benchmarking, we found that the cost could be reduced to around $500 million,” Ndahayo said. ALSO READ: What IAEA’s review means for Rwanda’s nuclear ambitions He added that the facility would not be built at once but would instead be implemented in phases. The estimated cost covers the broader centre which will include facilities supporting research reactor operations, training, laboratories and others. The CNST is expected to host Rwanda’s planned research reactor and support the application of nuclear science in sectors including healthcare, agriculture, industry, mining, education and scientific research. During the IAEA mission, experts visited a proposed site in Gashora, Bugesera District, alongside RAEB officials and representatives from other institutions involved in Rwanda’s nuclear programme. “What is remaining actually is to secure the source of funds and then set up a roadmap for implementing this project. The site is also there, the government owns the land and there is no need for expropriation. There is no one residing there,” Ndahayo added. ALSO READ: Inside Rwanda's nuclear development ambitions Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy, said research reactors provide countries with an opportunity to develop the skills and expertise required for wider nuclear applications. “Most important, research reactors help in education, developing capacity and then promoting the use of other manpower, nuclear science and technology such as nuclear energy,” he said. He added that Rwanda’s planned facility could support regional scientific cooperation by providing training opportunities for students and researchers beyond the country. Research reactors can produce radioisotopes used in medical diagnosis and treatment, support agricultural research and food security initiatives, and enable industrial testing, quality control and materials analysis, he added.

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Cost of planned Bugesera nuclear science centre cut to $500 million