Looming concerns over South Africa’s new nuclear energy venture

Concerns have been raised by experts regarding the government’s proposal to acquire 2,500 MW of nuclear energy in South Africa. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa recently announced plans to initiate the procurement process, but critics argue that the high construction costs and extended timeframe are impractical given the country’s current energy situation.

Energy analyst Chris Yelland says that the government’s reliance on nuclear energy won’t guarantee energy control and won’t effectively address the energy crisis within the next decade. Yelland highlighted the challenges associated with nuclear energy, such as managing high-level nuclear waste, prolonged construction periods, substantial costs, and potential time overruns.

Zizamele Mbambo, the Deputy Director-General for Nuclear at the Department of Energy, stated that the first of the new nuclear units might not be operational until 2032 or 2033, a decade away. The estimated cost for constructing a nuclear reactor of this magnitude is approximately R250 billion.

Yelland emphasizes the need to explore alternative, more immediate solutions, suggesting a focus on the country’s abundant natural resources. He recommends leveraging wind, solar, battery energy storage, pumped water storage, and other rapidly conveyable technologies.

The concerns expressed by Yelland are shared by other stakeholders, as noted by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa).  

Opposition to the minister’s proposal includes the lack of alignment with the IRP 2019, questions about the validity of the baseload concept in modern power systems, the availability of cheaper renewable alternatives, environmental concerns related to radioactive waste disposal, and the necessity for a flexible, decarbonized grid that excludes nuclear due to its high cost.