South Africa moving to expand nuclear energy

Cooling Towers, Soweto, South Africa

South Africa has signed a work plan with the International Energy Agency (IEA) that will see the country step closer to realizing its objectives on cleaner energy. Energy Minister Dipuo Peters confirmed that a tender proposal for construction of 9,600 megawatts of nuclear power by 2030, currently under review by the cabinet, could be worth at least US$ 125.7 billion.

“This will help to contribute to South Africa’s efforts towards a cleaner and more efficient energy future,” said the Department of Energy.

The plan comes after the IEA and South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on energy issues in July.

The two-day meeting, which ends today, is a gathering of 37 ministers coming together to talk about energy security and sustainability. It is attended by ministerial officials from 28 member countries and nine partner countries of the IEA, including South Africa. Other partner countries include Brazil, China and India.

Approximately 85 percent of South Africa’s power is produced by coal-fired power plants, and supplies are tight as Eskom battles to meet fast-rising demand in the country.

The IEA ministerial meeting, held once every two years, came at a time when new challenges were emerging.

These included the political changes in Arab and North African countries; the calling on the IEA to release strategic oil stock; the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear disaster in Japan, which aroused global concerns on nuclear safety; the Deepwater Horizon incident last year, which highlighted oil pollution, and the ongoing high oil prices relating to financial market volatility.

The country currently operates Africa’s only nuclear plant, however, this is bound to change in the next few years, given Africa’s rapid growth.