Nuclear power is a clean and efficient way that uses the released nuclear energy to generate heat.

The
heat produced is then used to steam turbines to generate electricity, as shown in Fig 1 [1]. Nuclear
power plants use either uranium or plutonium fuel to produce electricity through a process called
fission. Likewise, nuclear fusion can be defined as the nuclear reaction in which two or more atomic
nuclei form a heavier nucleus that releases energy [2]. Furthermore, a small uranium pellet, slightly
larger than a pencil eraser, contains the same energy as 3 barrels of oil, a ton of coal, or approximately
481,000 liters of natural gas. [3] Not to forget that uranium is one of the world’s most abundant metals,
which means that we are not going to face scarcity for generations to come. [3]

This technology has been proven reliable and economical, without the negative environmental impacts
of fossil fuel power plants. [4] Nuclear power plants produce no greenhouse gases, which is the leading
cause of air pollution and global warming. When it comes to efficiency and reliability, no other electricity
source can match nuclear, as nuclear power plants can continuously generate large-scale electricity for
months without any interruptions. [3] Moreover, they are surprisingly very economical; nuclear plants
are the lowest-cost provider of large-scale electricity [1].

Senegal and France’s INSTN (National Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology) on 25 September
2018 have signed an agreement to support Senegal to establish an African Centre of Excellence in
Nuclear Physics in close collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) [5]. The
agreement will also assist the creation of various learning platforms in training Senegalese experts and
students in nuclear science and technology [6]. The fact that such an agreement took place in Senegal
increases the feasibility of implementing such technology there.

The amount of electricity that a nuclear power plant can produce depends on the amount of time it
operates and the number of built-in reactors. For instance, the smallest nuclear power plant in the
United States (R. E. Ginna NPP), in New York, has one reactor with an electricity generating capacity of
582 megawatts (MW). The Palo Verde NPP in Arizona, the largest nuclear power plant in the United
States, with three reactors, generates a capacity of about 3,937 MW.[7] However, Senegal’s domestic
demand is only 550 (MWe) but is growing at a 7% rate per year. [6]