Pretoria promises science-based debate on nuclear expansion
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Bizcommunity
South Africa’s Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa promises a science-based public consultation on expanding the national nuclear programme. The move accompanies Eskom’s 5,200 MW project, while Rosatom is negotiating major nuclear projects with four African countries, according to Biz-Community.
South Africa’s Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says the public consultation on expanding the country’s nuclear programme will be based on scientific data and evidence. He said at the South African Nuclear and Clean Energy Conference that public submissions would be considered on their merits rather than on the basis of principled opposition to an energy technology.
Ramokgopa said the government was preparing a determination proposal for public participation, a step that will trigger the procurement process. The National Nuclear Regulator, South Africa’s body responsible for nuclear safety and licensing, will retain its independent authority over safety and licences. Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned electricity utility, is to remain the owner and operator of nuclear power plants under the country’s nuclear policy.
Alexei Likhachev, head of Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear group, said the company was ready to supply power plants of different sizes and configurations to African countries. He said Rosatom was discussing major nuclear projects with four countries, including Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia and Egypt.
The consultation comes after Eskom submitted its feasibility programme for 5,200 MW of nuclear capacity, announced on 11 November as part of the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan. Eskom had presented the 5,200 MW nuclear expansion project as a step towards preparing new electricity capacity.
