South Africa Goes Ahead With 2500MW Nuclear Procurement – Assures Citizens Nuclear Power is Safe, Clean, Reliable and Affordable Form of Energy

• South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has welcomed the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa) concurrence of 26 August 2021 with regards the procurement of 2 500MW new nuclear energy generation capacity. Read more 

“The 2 500MW for the Nuclear New Build Programme is informed by Decision 8 of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2019) to ‘Commence preparations for a nuclear build programme to the extent of 2 500 MW at a pace and scale that the country can afford because it is a no-regret option in the long term.’ The IRP 2019 is the 20-year electricity generation plan and promotes an inclusive energy mix that encompasses various sources of energy such as coal, nuclear, gas, solar, wind, hydro and so forth. Thus, Nuclear energy is integral to South Africa’s future energy mix as a country,” explained the DMRE is a press release.

The 2 500MW for Nuclear New Build Programme is further informed by South Africa’s Nuclear Energy Policy of 2008 whereby Principle 3. States that “Nuclear Energy shall form part of South Africa’s strategy to mitigate climate change.”

Prior to the Nersa concurrence, in June 2020, the Department issued a Request for Information (RFI) to test the market for the successful implementation of the Nuclear New Build Programme (NNBP). A thorough assessment of the RFI responses is indicative of market appetite and feasibility for the implementation of the NNBP in South Africa.

” The Department will now embark on preparations for the procurement of the 2 500MW Nuclear New Programme. In line with Minister Gwede Mantashe’s policy pronouncement during this year’s Budget Vote in Parliament, the DMRE plans to issue the Request for Proposal (RFP) at the end of the 2021/22 financial year. The Department aims to complete the procurement of the 2 500MW nuclear programme in 2024 in line with the five-year Strategic Plan and the Medium-Term Strategic Framework to ensure security of energy supply.”

“The procurement of the 2 500MW NNBP in 2024 provides adequate time for construction, commissioning, and connection to the electricity grid of this new capacity to ensure continued security of supply. The DMRE further assures the people of South Africa that nuclear power is a safe, clean, reliable and affordable form of energy, ”

Author: Bryan Groenendaal