Implementing nuclear power in Namibia

Namibia’s first Nuclear Commissioner, John Titus, says the government has expressed its ambition to establish a nuclear power plant in the country, but stresses that much preparatory work must be completed before such a decision can be made.

“The timeframe for achieving this will depend on the outcomes of the relevant assessments, the availability of financing and technical expertise, infrastructure readiness and the decisions taken by government at the appropriate stages,” he says.

Titus, a long-serving director of energy in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, believes Namibia must begin laying the necessary groundwork now to ensure that any future decision on nuclear power is informed, responsible and aligned with the country’s long-term development priorities.

The immediate task is not to build a nuclear power plant, he says, but to develop the institutional capacity, technical understanding and evidence needed to make informed decisions about the country’s nuclear power ambitions.

Titus, who was appointed Nuclear Commissioner last week, says the role provides an opportunity to strengthen coordination and advance the preparatory work required for a potential nuclear power programme.

He also heads the newly established Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation (NEPIO), which is responsible for coordinating assessments of the legal, regulatory and other infrastructure needed to support the possible introduction of nuclear power.

“Ultimately, our responsibility is to provide government with credible, comprehensive and evidence-based information on the opportunities, requirements, risks and implications of introducing nuclear power in Namibia,” he says.

“In my capacity as Nuclear Commissioner, I will work with the relevant institutions and technical experts to identify existing gaps, coordinate the necessary assessments and facilitate the development of recommendations for government’s consideration,” he adds.

His immediate priority is to ensure that the NEPIO structures become fully operational and that preparatory work under Phase 1 of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Milestones Approach progresses in a coordinated and structured manner.

The IAEA supports countries in developing the national infrastructure needed to introduce or expand a nuclear power programme through its Milestones Approach.

A central part of Namibia’s preparatory work will be assessing the 19 nuclear infrastructure issues identified by the IAEA, Titus says. These cover a broad range of considerations, including national policy, legal and regulatory requirements, nuclear safety, human resource development, financing, infrastructure and stakeholder involvement.

He also stresses the importance of distinguishing between the NEPIO’s coordinating role and the statutory responsibilities of institutions mandated to develop legislation, formulate policy and exercise regulatory oversight.

“The establishment of an appropriate legal and regulatory framework must follow the relevant national processes and be consistent with applicable international obligations and nuclear safety standards,” he says.