South Africa’s energy regulator has backed a long-term government plan to build new nuclear power units, a move that could help see the construction of new nuclear reactors as part of the government’s drive to end power shortages and decarbonise electricity generation.

Energy minister Gwede Mantashe wrote to regulator Nersa in August last year stating the government’s intention to procure 2,500 MW of new nuclear capacity to come online after 2030.

Nersa has now given its support for that plan. It said its reasons will be published later. Nersa’s electricity subcommittee said recently that the procurement should be at a pace and scale that the country could afford and the tender process should be transparent and competitive.