The Regional Center for Nuclear Studies in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, (CREN-K, ), prior to 1970 known as the Trico Center (), houses the TRICO I and TRICO II nuclear research reactors. TRICO I was the first nuclear reactor on the African continent.
History
In 1956, prior to the independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from Belgium, Luc Gillon, rector of Lovanium University launched the idea of establishing a research reactor at the university. In 1958, the government of Belgian Congo, with the approval of the Belgian minister of Congo and Ruanda-Urundi bought a TRIGA MARK I reactor from General Atomics. The Trico Center was constructed to house the reactor on land belonging to the science and medical faculties of the Lovanium University (later University of Kinshasa). It became operational in May 1959 and was incorporated into the studies of Congolese and other African students.
In 1960 the Congo became independent, but the country quickly fell into a crisis. The United States feared that the fissile material in the reactor could be stolen or the reactor would otherwise fall into the hands of an unfavorable government. In August the United States Atomic Energy Commission instructed CIA officer Larry Devlin to steal the reactor's fuel rods, rendering TRICO inoperable, and advise Gillon of this. Devlin consulted Gillon, who denounced the proposal as unsafe and impossible to do without drawing attention. Devlin reported this to the United States government, which dropped the matter.
Post independence, at the 1967 Organisation of African Unity summit in Kinshasa African heads of state decided to transform Trico Center into a regional study center. Despite OAU recommendations, the center has only been operated by Congolese. From 1970 onwards it is known as CREN-K, Regional Center for Nuclear studies (). CREN-K purchased a new reactor, TRICO II, with a larger capacity.
In 1968 the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Belgium signed general agreements on continued technological and scientific cooperation. Five years later in 1973 a specific agreement on cooperation of peaceful nuclear research was signed between Belgium and then Zaire. The agreements after several extensions lasted until 1987. In practise it meant that SCK•CEN assisted CREN-K in the construction and yearly maintenance of TRICO II. The Institute for Radioactive Elements (IRE) in Fleurus Belgium assisted CREN-K in the production of medical isotopes. In return CREN-K agreed to also run research programs proposed by mutually recognized Belgian institutions.
The TRICO II reactor is subject to yearly IAEA inspections. In 1988 IAEA started a project to deliver replacement parts and new nuclear fuel. Because the American company General Dynamics Corporation, which had been contracted to deliver these parts, was unable to fulfil its obligations due to an embargo imposed on the Mobutu government. In exchange for spare parts and training seminars from the IAEA the Democratic Republic of the Congo participates in RAF and AFRA projects.
The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo stopped adequately funding the project in the late 1980s. In 1998 it was reported that despite the lack of funds dedicated personnel kept the reactor in good shape. By this time the IAEA cooperation still had trouble locating replacement parts. Because spent fuel was not being replaced the reactor was only capable of operating at reduced capacity.
In 2004 the reactor was shutdown for a scheduled stop and has been in a state of extended shutdown since.
Since 2010 there have been renewed campaigns to gather more support among the public opinion for CREN-K and utilizing the national resource that is uranium.
Management
The Commissariat Général à l’Energie Atomique (CGEA) is responsible for nuclear energy, CREN-K and its reactors. It was previously known as the Commissariat des Sciences Nucléaires. It is a state-owned company under the supervision of the scientific research department of MESU, the Ministry of Higher Education (). As foreseen by law CGEA's articles of association describe three structures. Namely a Board of directors, a management committee, and a committee of auditors. However currently only the management committee exists and it is identical to the management committee of CREN-K. The committee consists out of a Commissioner General, director of science, CFO and a staff representative.
In 2010, CGEA/CREN-K employed 175 people. In June 2011 the Congolese government appointed Lukanda Mwamba Vincent as Commissioner General of CGEA.
Reactors
"TRICO" is a portmanteau of the names TRIGA − the type of reactor − and Congo.