WINDHOEK, Namibia, Jan. 12 The Namibian government announced its decision to turn to nuclear power in order to avoid the possibility of a power supply deficit in southern Africa.Government made a policy decision to that effect, said Joseph Iita, the permanent secretary in the Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy. Namibia imports about 50 percent of its electricity needs, mainly from South Africa, but will use its own uranium supply to power the proposed nuclear generation plant, reported The Namibian.Iita was approached for comment after the Panapress news agency reported Wednesday that Namibia asked for aid in building a nuclear plant.Energy experts had predicted shortages in the electricity supply in the region due to South Africa's shrinking surplus, increased local demand and lack of investment in new power plants.Nuclear energy is one of the options we are considering; it is not the (only) option, but one of many options, Iita said. We are also looking into renewables like wind and solar power, gas like the Kudu gas field or hydropower from the Baynes Mountains on the Kunene River.The issue of management and storage of nuclear waste coming from the proposed power plant has not yet been addressed.We (will) look at all aspects, Iita said. Until plans for a plant are finalized, Aeolus Associated, a Dutch investor, will establish a $130 million, 92 megawatt wind power farm to meet about 25 percent of Namibia's demand.Copyright 2007 by UPI
