Senegal and France’s Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires (INSTN – National Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology) on 25 September signed an agreement to collaborate on the establishment of a centre of excellence in nuclear science and technology. The framework partnership agreement was signed by INSTN director Philippe Corréa and Mary Teuw Niane, minister of higher education, research and innovation in Senegal.
The agreement envisages three lines of action: support for Senegal in establishing an African Centre of Excellence in Nuclear Physics in close collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); development of teaching on a research reactor or a virtual reality teaching reactor, and in the area of nuclear science and technology; and development of training courses focused on nuclear health applications, particularly in cancer treatment.
The agreement will also facilitate creation of a distance learning platform, the training of Senegalese experts and students in nuclear science and technology, and the transfer of knowledge, in accordance with IAEA regulations.
Senegal’s electricity is produced mainly from fossil fuels, but in 2010 a policy was announced to replace oil for power generation, and to integrate with the West African Power Pool with the possibility of building a NPP by about 2020. France in 2010 offered technical assistance but Senegal’s president cancelled plans for nuclear power in 2011. Domestic demand is only 550MWe although it is growing at 7% a year.
