‘Russia helps S Africa in nuclear tech’

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and South African President Jacob Zuma (file photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is ready to assist South Africa in developing a Ëœcomprehensive nuclear power industry.â„¢

Å“Russia stands ready to help create a comprehensive nuclear power industry in South Africa,” Putin said on Thursday after a meeting with South African President Jacob Zuma in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.

The meeting was a follow-up to the talks that began at a summit of the group of emerging economic powers, BRICS – comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – held in Durban, South Africa, in March, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Putin suggested the possibility of Russiaâ„¢s involvement in South Africaâ„¢s nuclear power projects for the first time during the summit.

The Russian president also confirmed that the two countries would collaborate on other energy projects, including the development of alternative energy sources.

At the Durban summit, Putin said Moscow could help the African country with extraction of raw materials, construction of nuclear power plants and research reactors as well as the design of nuclear power equipment.

South Africa has two nuclear reactors, which account for five percent of its electricity.

MR/HSN

This article originally appeared on : Press TV