Zimbabwe’s Centre for Education, Innovation, Research and Development (CEIRD) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s biggest energy company, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), to jointly execute a preliminary feasibility study on deploying KHNP’s Innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR) in the Southern African country, World Nuclear News has reported. The MoU also provides for the training of Zimbabwean nuclear energy experts and the sharing of information regarding nuclear energy technology.

“Through this business agreement, we hope Zimbabwe will accelerate its energy diversification and find sustainable energy solutions through SMRs,” affirmed KHNP president Hwang Joo-ho. “Building on our collaboration with Zimbabwe, KHNP will strengthen its position in the African market.”

KHNP pointed out that Zimbabwe currently generated its electricity using hydropower and thermal power stations. However, the stability of the country’s power supply was being undermined by climate change and by ageing plants. As a result, Harare is actively examining nuclear power as a way to diversify its energy matrix, and to fulfil its science- and technology-focused Vision 2030 national development policy.

Launched in December 2023, at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, the i-SMR is a pressurised water reactor-type SMR design. Completion of its standard design is targeted for the end of this year. The aim is to achieve Standard Design Approval during 2028. It will have a generating output of 170 MWe. KHNP affirmed that the i-SMR would cost only 33% of the price of a conventional large reactor and require only 50% of the time needed for construction.

CEIRD was set up in 2020. It coordinates research across Zimbabwean colleges, universities and industry. The intent is to convert science, technology, engineering and maths education into real-world innovations and products, resulting in national modernisation and industrialisation. This is in line with the country’s Heritage-Based Education 5.0 policy.