Russian technicians in Burkina Faso to build nuclear power plant

​​​​​​​By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) - Technicians from the Russian state-owned nuclear agency Rosatom are visiting Burkina Faso to start the construction of a nuclear power plant, the West African country’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries said Tuesday.

"We have high hopes for this visit which will enable us to get a real feel for energy issues," said Energy Minister Yacouba Zabre Gouba, as reported by local media.

He received the Russian delegation at his offices in the capital of Ouagadougou, in the presence of the media.

Rosatom envoys will visit until Friday to enable them to determine a construction site, which Gouba said is still unknown.

The military government of Burkina Faso and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a nuclear power plant on the sidelines of Russian Energy Week in Moscow in October, according to a statement from the Burkina Faso Ministry of Energy.

Burkina Faso, which has been plagued by terrorism since 2015 and political instability following a coup is hoping to build the plant by 2030.

The Ministry of Mines said the plant would help solve energy shortages in the country's vital mine industry.

Burkina Faso's electricity needs are currently estimated at more than 500 MW and could triple by 2030, according to the ministry, which estimates that with current capacities, the industry will develop a five- to ten-year delay.

Having broken off diplomatic relations with France, its former colonial power, which military authorities accuse of wanting to destabilize the country, Burkina Faso is now banking on partnerships with Russia in several sectors.