Representatives from Moscow and the western African nation formalized the agreement at last week’s St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). "The parties will study the possibility of implementing the floating power units project in the Republic of Guinea within the framework of the agreement reached and will work out the terms and conditions of the project," Russia’s Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) said in a statement. Floating nuclear power plants are seen as a reliable, cost-effective, and carbon-neutral solution for energy production. This collaboration aligns with both nations' efforts to secure sustainable power supplies. The agreement between Russia and Guinea comes as a four-year investment project financed by the International Development Association (IDA) comes to a close. Russia is already operating the world’s first floating nuclear power plant off the coast of the Pevek, an Arctic port town located on the East Siberian Sea, roughly 600 miles from the coast of Alaska. The facility, launched in May of 2020, includes two reactors providing 70 MW of electricity, 50 Gcal/h of heat, and onshore infrastructure for power distribution, Rosatom said. The agreement comes at a critical time for Guinea, which has faced severe power grid issues, resulting in frequent blackouts — up to five outages per day in April. This partnership is expected to bolster Guinea's investment in power generation infrastructure, aiming to make reliable electricity a norm across the country. The Russia-Guinea partnership represents a significant step forward in addressing energy challenges and fostering economic development through innovative technology. “As you know, the power supply issue in the African region is urgent, and our main task is to provide a fast, reliable and environmentally friendly solution for our partners,” said Vladimir Aptekarev, Deputy Head of ROSATOM’s Mechanical Engineering Division. “The signed memorandum supplements the roadmap of Rosatom’s Mechanical Engineering Division for the production of advanced equipment for the new generation of nuclear industry and demonstrates the high global interest in our technology.” Rosatom, Russia's largest power engineering company, plays a crucial role in advancing the country's export potential, supplying goods and raw materials worldwide, and constructing large foreign power projects. This agreement coincides with the conclusion of a four-year investment project in Guinea financed by the International Development Association (IDA), marking a new chapter in the nation's pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.Russia and the Republic of Guinea have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the construction of floating nuclear power plants.
A Russia-Guinea partnership would also expand Moscow's footprint in the African market, following newly established relations with some countries on the continent, including Mali, Zimbabwe, and Burundi.
