South Africa’s integrated resource plan, which foresees a diversified energy mix that includes nuclear, is in the process of being finalised and “planning for new nuclear power plants should start now”, minister of mineral resources and energy Gwede Mantashe said in a speech to parliament.

Mr Mantashe said the IRP will be tabled before cabinet for approval in September 2019. “It considers a diversified energy mix that includes all forms of energy technologies such as cleaner coal, nuclear, gas, hydro, renewables and battery storage,” he said.