As Africa intensifies efforts to harness nuclear technology for energy, health, and security, global institutions like the Dalton Nuclear Institute in the UK offer a compelling model. As part of The University of Manchester, the Institute leads the UK’s academic nuclear research ecosystem, covering the full spectrum from fission and fusion to medical and social sciences.
Dalton’s work emphasizes the critical role of nuclear materials, which underpin reliable fission reactors, enable experimental fusion systems, and power medical diagnostics and treatments. Their research informs key pillars of nuclear readiness, including:
- Fusion energy development – Although still decades away from commercialization, fusion offers long-term potential for clean, base-load power. It requires extreme conditions—100 million °C plasma, high density, and long confinement times—to initiate reactions, making it a major scientific and engineering challenge.
- Waste management and decommissioning – Dalton collaborates closely with UK industry (e.g., Sellafield Ltd. and Nuclear Waste Services) to tackle radioactive waste storage and site remediation through initiatives like the Nuclear Waste Services Research Support Office.
- Talent pipeline and regulation – The Institute stresses the need to train globally competent nuclear scientists and engineers. It also supports the development of regulatory frameworks to ensure technologies like fusion are safely connected to energy grids when ready.
While fusion is unlikely to help with the immediate climate crisis, it is part of a dual-track strategy: use existing low-carbon technologies like fission and renewables in the near term, while investing in long-term breakthroughs like fusion.
Relevance for Africa
Africa’s pursuit of nuclear readiness can draw key lessons from the Dalton model:
- Invest in nuclear materials R&D to support both existing and emerging technologies.
- Build local talent pipelines aligned with future skills demands in fission, fusion, safety, and decommissioning.
- Forge public-private-academic partnerships to solve practical challenges like waste management.
- Adopt long-term strategies that balance urgent energy needs with future innovation potential.