NANO Nuclear Energy, a US company specialising in novel nuclear energy technology, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Togolese government to explore the use of nuclear energy in the West African country. The agreement provides for co-operation in the development and use of nuclear reactors and the associated infrastructure in Togo.

According to the co-operation partners, the aim is to examine Togo's energy requirements, particularly for remote or hard-to-reach areas that are not connected to the national power grid, such as remote mines, industrial plants or other important facilities. The company has developed two so-called microreactors that can be transported on the trailer of a conventional lorry. NANO promises safe and long-lasting operation, as low-pressure technology is used to ensure a longer service life. An agreement of this type already exists with Rwanda.

This type of reactor can have an output of between 1 and 20 megawatts, which can be utilised directly as thermal energy or converted into electrical energy. NANO promises to provide clean, sustainable and mobile energy solutions.

The question of how the nuclear waste produced will be dealt with remains completely open. There is also no information on radioactive radiation. Another problem in safeguarding the operation of such plants is that northern Togo has been repeatedly attacked by Islamist terrorist groups for some time.