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Russia, South Africa sign agreement on nuclear safety control

Boyce Mkhize emphasized the importance of the signed agreement and noted that South Africa has big plans to nuclear industry development

PRETORIA, September 21 (Itar-Tass) — Russia’s Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation, which plans to participate in a scheduled tender for the construction of six nuclear reactors in South Africa announced on Thursday that the national regulators of the two countries had signed an agreement on nuclear safety.

“Rostekhnadzor (Federal Service for Environmental, Technological and Nuclear Oversight) and the South African National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of nuclear and radiation safety control in terms of peaceful uses of nuclear energy,” Rusatom Overseas says in a report. Rusatom Overseas promotes Rosatom projects on the world market.

From the Russian party the document was signed by Rostechnadzor’s head Nikolay Kutyin, from the South African party – by NNR CEO Boyce Mkhize.

South Africa plans to announce at the end of the year a tender for the construction by 2030 of 9.6 GW nuclear capacities that will increase the nuclear energy share in the country’s energy balance from five to 25 percent.

Boyce Mkhize emphasized the importance of the signed agreement and noted that South Africa has big plans to nuclear industry development. “We have extensive plans to develop radiation industry and we would be glad to use the experience of Russian regulators in nuclear and radiation safety areas. I hope that the Agreement will bring benefits to both countries. South Africa and Russia have been cooperating in a wide range of areas, and the respective document is aimed at development of relations between our countries,” he said.

Nikolay Kutyin, for his part, said that South Africa also plans to enrich nuclear fuel at home.

In March 2012, Rusatom Overseas JSC joined the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa (NIASA) as a member-sponsor. In June 2012, a Memorandum of Understanding between Rusatom Overseas JSC and the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) was signed. In accordance with the document, the parties will start elaboration of joint business projects in such areas as isotope production and marketing, nuclear fuel fabrication, and the manufacture of energy equipment.

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