Staff Reporter
CABINET has approved the Nuclear Industry Strategy with a number of key interventions, including the establishment of a Nuclear Institute of Namibia as the main driver for the development and implementation of nuclear-related projects.
This was announced by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, during a recent Cabinet briefing.
According to Theofelus, in line with the aforementioned key interventions, Cabinet also approved the amendment of the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act (Act No. 5 of 2005). She explained that the amendments aim to strengthen the country’s nuclear regulatory framework by enhancing the independence of the regulatory authority, introducing governance oversight through a board, and ensuring effective regulation of nuclear installations. She added that the amendments will also promote the development of nuclear projects.
Theofelus further revealed that Cabinet approved the re-assignment of the administration of the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act (Act No. 5 of 2005) to the National Planning Commission, in recognition of the fact that the nuclear industry spans multiple sectors and disciplines. This move, she said, is intended to ensure overarching coordination, as well as the necessary momentum and leadership to establish a nuclear industry.
The Minister also announced that Cabinet approved the undertaking of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for flagship projects that could catalyse the development of the nuclear industry. These, she noted, include value addition within the uranium value chain, small modular reactors, radioisotope production, industrial irradiation facilities, and a research reactor or similar projects.
The final intervention related to the Nuclear Industry Strategy involves the acceleration of the drafting of the White Paper on Nuclear Power by the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.
