South Africa / Plans For New Nuclear Plants Put On Hold

Releasing a long-awaited draft energy plan earlier today, energy minister Jeff Radebe said nuclear power capacity would remain at 1,860 MW (net) by 2030, which means there will be no change from existing capacity.

South Africa’s only nuclear station at Koeberg has two pressurised water reactor units that have been in commercial operation since 1984 and 1985. Their output accounts for 2.5% of the country’s energy generation.

Mr Radebe said renewable energy will be the key focus over the next decade with 8,100 MW of additional capacity added from wind, 5,670 MW from solar and 2,500 MW from hydro. He said an additional 1,000- MW of coal and 8,100 MW of gas capacity would be added.

The draft plans notes that electricity consumption is 30% less than was projected when the plan was last updated in 2010.

It says detailed “technical, cost and economic benefit analysis” has been carried out of other clean energy technologies such clean coal technology and nuclear, but gave no further details.

South Africa’s cabinet approved the plan on 18 August 2018, but today t was published for public comment and consultation.