As Africa navigates the challenges of climate change, energy poverty, and sustainable development, a growing number of nations are considering nuclear energy as part of their energy mix.

However, critics warn of the dangers of nuclear power, citing risks to human health, the environment, and the high upfront costs of building nuclear power plants.

Thirteen African countries, including Angola, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda, plan to roll out nuclear power plants.

Proponents argue that nuclear energy can provide reliable and constant electricity, driving industrialization and economic growth.

Critics argue that renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power, are cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective.

Africa has an abundance of renewable energy resources that can be harnessed to generate electricity.

Many African countries are already investing in renewable energy projects with promising results.

A report by 12 civil society organizations warns against the dangers of nuclear energy, citing its slow delivery, high costs, and risks to human health and the environment.

The authors call for an end to plans to spend billions on building new nuclear power plants, arguing that funding could be better spent on renewable energy projects.

As Africa weighs the benefits and risks of nuclear energy, prioritizing clean, safe, and sustainable energy solutions is essential.

Renewable energy sources offer a viable alternative to nuclear power, providing a cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective way to generate electricity.

Morocco has emerged as one of North Africa’s most climate-vulnerable countries, according to the World Meteorological Organisation’s 2024 “State of the Climate in Africa” report.

The kingdom faces escalating threats, including prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and flash floods that have caused heavy human and material losses.

Environmental expert, Mostapha Aissat, described recent climate events in Morocco as “unprecedented in the country’s history,” citing seven consecutive years of drought and destructive floods across the south and southeast.

The 2022 wildfires that devoured over 20,000 hectares of forest, severely impacting biodiversity and agriculture, are a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters.

Aissat warned that two global indicators suggest worsening conditions: global warming and the continued failure of major polluting nations to halve CO₂ emissions by 2030, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

He also noted the rising risk of natural disasters beyond climate change, such as earthquakes, referencing Morocco’s 2023 Al Haouz quake.

Climate expert, Ali Cherroud, added that Morocco’s geography, from mountains to coasts to deserts, makes it uniquely exposed to a wide spectrum of seasonal and non-seasonal disasters.

The country’s position at the intersection of cold, humid northern currents and hot, dry southern flows intensifies its susceptibility to extremes.

Cherroud welcomed the newly announced National Natural Disaster Centre in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, calling it a “proactive shift” in disaster management and urging its replication across Morocco.

He emphasized the need for a national roadmap based on early warning, rapid response, and risk forecasting to shield lives and assets.

With converging international assessments and on-the-ground observations, experts say climate preparedness is no longer optional – it is Morocco’s new strategic imperative.

The country must take a proactive approach to disaster management, investing in early warning systems, rapid response mechanisms, and risk forecasting to mitigate the impacts of climate-related disasters.

In a bid to reduce the country’s planet-warming emissions, the UK government has announced a £180 million investment in solar panels for hundreds of schools and hospitals across the country.

This move is part of the government’s efforts to achieve its long-term climate goals and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The investment, which is the first major project from Great British Energy, the government’s new state owned energy company, is expected to provide solar panels for 200 schools and 200 hospitals.

This will not only help reduce energy bills but also cut carbon emissions and promote sustainability.

According to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, “Great British Energy’s first major project will be to help our vital public institutions save hundreds of millions on bills to reinvest on the frontline.”

 He added that the project will help reduce the financial pressure of energy bills on schools and hospitals.

The announcement has been welcomed by schools, unions, and NHS estate managers, who have long been advocating for measures to reduce energy costs.

Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said that the investment is a “step in the right direction” and will help schools manage energy bills, which have been a significant financial burden in recent years.

However, not everyone is optimistic about the investment.

Andrew Bowie, shadow energy secretary, argued that the government’s net zero plans will make the country “poorer.”

He claimed that the investment will lead to increased reliance on foreign powers like Russia.

In contrast, energy experts believe that investing in renewable energy will reduce the UK’s reliance on imports.

Jess Ralston, energy analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said that the investment in solar panels will improve energy security and reduce the amount of gas imported from countries like Russia.

The first solar panels are expected to be installed by the end of the summer, with a focus on areas of “highest need.”