Johannesburg: South Africa is preparing to develop a comprehensive nuclear industrialisation plan that extends beyond merely converting nuclear energy into electricity, as revealed by Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
According to South African Government News Agency, the plan was unveiled during a media briefing where the Minister presented the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025, following its approval by the Cabinet. The R2.2 trillion IRP aims to sustainably and cost-effectively meet South Africa’s electricity demand by strategically allocating the country’s primary energy resources.
By 2039, the government aims to add 105,000 megawatts of new generation capacity, effectively expanding Eskom’s capacity by over twofold. Key components of the plan include 11,270 megawatts of solar photovoltaics by 2030, 7,340 megawatts of wind energy, 6,000 megawatts of gas-to-power, and 5,200 megawatts of new nuclear capacity.
The Minister emphasized that nuclear energy plays a significant role in the conversation, with a commitment to develop 5,200 megawatts of new nuclear capacity. He assured transparency and deliberateness in procuring this clean energy technology solution, highlighting nuclear energy’s pivotal role in the strategy.
The strategy involves close collaboration with scientists to pinpoint opportunities for local manufacturing and economic development. Ramokgopa acknowledged the loss of skilled scientists due to the absence of new nuclear programmes and highlighted the need to generate a pipeline of skills for the future.
To address the skills shortage, the Minister is working with universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, focusing on engineering fields related to the built environment and nuclear issues. He also noted the decimation of the local construction industry, citing the reduction from five major companies to just one, and emphasized the need to enhance industry capacity to meet the programme’s demands.
With over 20 countries committing to nuclear energy expansion at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, South Africa views this as a strategic economic opportunity. The proposed plan includes identifying localisable components in the nuclear fuel cycle, exploring small modular reactor technologies, developing local industrial capabilities, and creating employment opportunities in the nuclear sector.
Globally, around 100 small modular reactor technologies are in various feasibility stages, with significant commercial development potential. Additionally, 40 of the world’s leading financial institutions have pledged to finance nuclear projects, instilling confidence in the sector’s future.
The Minister expressed the intention to develop a nuclear industrialisation plan that fosters job creation, builds industries, and supports broader economic transformation. Ramokgopa sees the plan as a strategic approach to using nuclear technology as a catalyst for industrial development and economic growth.