NATIONAL NEWS - South Africa's proposed nuclear energy expansion will be subject to public consultation, with government pledging that decisions will be guided by scientific evidence rather than ideological opposition to particular energy technologies.

Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa confirmed that Eskom has submitted its feasibility programme for a proposed 5 200MW nuclear energy programme, in line with the country's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025.

Speaking at the South African Nuclear and Clean Energy Conference on Tuesday, Ramokgopa said the Department of Electricity and Energy was preparing a proposed determination for public participation.

The determination will set the process in motion towards procurement, subject to the necessary statutory and regulatory requirements.

Ramokgopa said public submissions would be considered on their merits, with the assessment based on science, evidence and the country's future electricity needs.

He added that the National Nuclear Regulator would retain its independent authority over nuclear safety and licensing. Under the Nuclear Energy Policy, Eskom is designated as the owner and operator of nuclear power plants, with provision for the utility to retain control under a public-private partnership arrangement.

Lessons from previous power station projects

The Minister acknowledged that South Africa would need to learn from shortcomings in previous major electricity infrastructure projects, particularly the construction of the Kusile and Medupi power stations.

He said lessons from those projects would be important in ensuring that the proposed nuclear programme was not undermined by poor planning and implementation.

Ramokgopa said reliable electricity capacity was essential to supporting economic growth, allowing manufacturers to expand, attracting new investment and improving access to affordable electricity for households.

He warned that insufficient generating capacity came at an economic cost, affecting production, investment and the country's ability to grow.

Skills shortage presents a challenge

One of the challenges facing the proposed programme is South Africa's limited experience in building nuclear power stations.

Ramokgopa acknowledged that the country had not undertaken a nuclear construction project in approximately 50 years, leaving a shortage of people with direct experience of building such facilities.

While South Africa has nuclear operational expertise at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, the Minister said experience in operating an existing plant was different from the skills required to construct a new one.

He said government intended to work with international partners to develop a pipeline of local engineers and other specialists who could gain practical experience throughout the construction of successive reactors.

The objective, he said, was to build sufficient local technical capacity to eventually undertake nuclear projects independently.

Nuclear and coal to form part of the energy mix

Ramokgopa also addressed the future of South Africa's coal-fired power stations, saying coal and nuclear energy could operate alongside one another.

The Department, working with Eskom, is reviewing the coal fleet to determine which power stations could continue operating for longer and which should be retired.

These decisions will take into account the condition of individual power stations, operating costs and applicable environmental requirements.

The Minister said nuclear power was being considered as a dependable, lower-carbon and cost-effective source of electricity that could contribute to diversifying South Africa's energy supply.

The proposed 5,200MW programme forms part of government's longer-term planning to secure sufficient electricity capacity to support the country's economic and industrial development. – SAnews.gov.za

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