Ethiopia targets two 1200 MWe reactors as Russia agreement advances

Programme scope confirmed

Ethiopia's prime minister has publicly confirmed that the country intends to build two nuclear reactors, each rated at 1200 MWe, as part of a national energy programme formally launched last year with the establishment of the Ethiopia Nuclear Energy Commission. Speaking during a visit to the Commission's facilities, the prime minister acknowledged the timeline would require at least ten years to realise.

The rationale given for pursuing nuclear centres on its ability to deliver reliable, consistent baseload output without the seasonal variability that can affect hydroelectric and solar generation. The prime minister framed nuclear energy as a strategic enabler of industrialisation, manufacturing, digital infrastructure, and economic transformation, while also citing potential contributions to healthcare, agriculture, and environmental protection.

Site selection under way

Three candidate locations have been shortlisted from an initial pool of more than 30 assessed sites. Before any technology-provider agreement can be concluded, the prime minister stated that the viability and suitability of these sites must be confirmed by external institutions. No timeline for that validation process was given.

Workforce development identified as critical requirement

The prime minister emphasised that nuclear development is not a straightforward procurement exercise. Building a skilled domestic workforce, advancing scientific research, and establishing knowledge-transfer mechanisms for future generations were described as essential prerequisites for developing nuclear energy safely, responsibly, and sustainably. The Ethiopia Nuclear Energy Commission is tasked with laying the institutional and technical foundations for the programme.

Russia cooperation deepens

Ethiopia and Russia have maintained a formal nuclear cooperation relationship since an intergovernmental agreement was signed in 2019. A bilateral roadmap covering power plant construction, a Nuclear Science and Technology Centre, and national infrastructure development followed in 2023. In March 2026, the Ethiopia Nuclear Energy Commission and Rosatom signed a further strategic roadmap for nuclear energy development, building on an action plan concluded in September 2025.

Russia's Ambassador to Ethiopia stated this week that Rosatom, acting through the Rusatom International Network, and the Ethiopia Nuclear Energy Commission are currently coordinating a draft intergovernmental agreement covering the fundamental principles of cooperation for nuclear power plant construction in Ethiopia. According to the ambassador, signing that agreement will trigger the design and engineering phase of the project. He noted that all interaction is being conducted in strict accordance with IAEA standards and regulations.

The ambassador's remarks were made ahead of the Russia-Africa summit scheduled to take place in Moscow on 28–29 October.

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Wisconsin and Vermont Officials Raise SMR Deployment Prospects at Decommissioned Nuclear Sites

State officials in Wisconsin and Vermont have each raised the prospect of deploying small modular reactors at sites that formerly housed traditional, large nuclear reactors, according to reporting published in late October 2026. The discussions, which emerged within the same week, point to a growing willingness among state-level policymakers to consider next-generation nuclear technology as a potential use for decommissioned plant locations.

The conversations represent an early-stage policy signal rather than a formal commitment, but they are notable for occurring simultaneously in two states with distinct energy profiles and regulatory environments. For nuclear supply-chain professionals, the parallel discussions may indicate broadening geographic interest in SMR deployment opportunities tied to existing nuclear brownfield sites.

Repurposing former nuclear plant locations for SMR development carries a number of potential practical advantages. Such sites often retain grid interconnection infrastructure, cooling water access, and established land-use designations that can reduce the time and cost associated with greenfield development. Workforce familiarity with nuclear operations at or near these locations may also be a factor in state-level deliberations.

Small modular reactors, which are generally defined by their lower output capacity and factory-fabricated components compared with conventional large reactors, have attracted increasing attention from utilities, regulators, and state governments across the United States as a means of adding firm, low-carbon generating capacity. The technology remains in varying stages of licensing and commercialisation, and no SMR units are yet operating commercially in the country.

The timing of the Wisconsin and Vermont discussions adds to a broader pattern of state governments engaging more directly with SMR deployment questions, particularly as decommissioning activity at legacy nuclear sites continues and decisions about long-term land use come into focus. How each state proceeds — whether through formal feasibility studies, legislative action, or utility engagement — has not been detailed in available reporting.

Supply-chain stakeholders tracking new-build and SMR opportunities may wish to monitor further developments from both states, as early policy discussions of this kind can precede procurement activity and site-specific planning processes by several years.