TANZANIA has outlined plans and readiness to develop nuclear energy as an alternative source of electricity for economic growth and social well-being.

Deputy Prime Minister and Energy minister Dr Doto Biteko made these plans at the second US-Africa nuclear energy high level conference yesterday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

The conference brings together leaders from the energy sector, policymakers and experts from various African countries, where the deputy premier stated that nuclear energy would help to ensure reliable and sufficient electricity supply conforming to international environmental standards.

"Tanzania's readiness to develop and utilise nuclear energy is underscored in the 2015 Energy Policy, the 2009 Mining Policy, the Comprehensive Electricity Sector Development Plan and the Renewable Energy Strategy. All these documents recognise the importance of nuclear energy in meeting the country's energy needs," he stated.

The government is taking steps to reach this goal, seeing nuclear energy as a clean energy source, as Tanzania has considerable uranium deposits put at a commercially realisable 58,500 tonnes. This could be used for nuclear power generation, he asserted.

Alternative sources of electricity will allow the country to strengthen commercial partnerships within and outside Africa, where ensuring adequate electricity supply will cement regional integration of power grids.

This is being conducted among eastern and southern African countries and eventually across other parts of the continent, he explained, affirming that Tanzania wishes to collaborate with various stakeholders, including the United States and other African countries, to advance nuclear energy. 

This is particularly important as around 600m people in Africa and up to 10m small businesses still face challenges in accessing reliable electricity, he said, citing data that electricity demand in Tanzania is growing by 10per cent to 15pc annually. 

To meet sustainable development goals, Tanzania needs to attain 10,000 megawatts of electricity by 2030, he said, while Nana Ayensu, the United States president assistant for environmental protection, climate finance and technological innovation, appealed for a change of vision.

He underlined the summit's importance in opening doors for the development of nuclear energy as beneficial for human use and environmental protection in contrast to fossil fuels.

It is also capable of enabling strengthening cooperation among the participating countries, insisting that nuclear energy will support the wide ranging international clean energy agenda.

This includes the globally promoted clean cooking energy, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan leading the initiative, he said in a complementary remark.

The US authorities are prepared to collaborate with African nations to advance nuclear energy, providing reliable energy supply and drive economic development, he added.