- South Africa is moving to establish a far-reaching nuclear industrialisation plan that extends well beyond the generation of electricity, Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa announced on Sunday.
Speaking at a media briefing to unveil the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025, approved by Cabinet on 15 October, Ramokgopa said the government intends to use nuclear power as a driver of industrial and economic development.
“It’s not just about converting nuclear energy into electricity,” he said. “It’s about what benefits the South African economy and what components within the nuclear fuel cycle we can domesticate or localise.”
The R2.2-trillion IRP serves as South Africa’s long-term energy roadmap, detailing how the country will meet its electricity demand sustainably and cost-effectively. By 2039, government plans to add 105 000 MW of new generation capacity—effectively expanding Eskom’s current capacity by more than two and a half times.
Key allocations in the plan include 11 270 MW of solar PV, 7 340 MW of wind energy, 6 000 MW of gas-to-power, and 5 200 MW of new nuclear capacity by 2030.
“Nuclear is a big part of our conversation,” Ramokgopa said. “We’re building 5 200 MW of new nuclear capacity. The State will ensure that we are deliberate and transparent in how we procure this clean energy technology solution.”
He said the government’s approach includes working closely with scientists to identify opportunities for local manufacturing and skills development within the nuclear value chain.
“We’ve lost many of our scientists due to the absence of new nuclear programmes. They are now working abroad,” he noted. “The industrialisation plan must address where the skills will come from and how we build a future pipeline of expertise.”
Ramokgopa acknowledged that South Africa currently faces a shortage of technical and engineering skills required to support a major nuclear build. To tackle this, his department is collaborating with universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to strengthen education and training in nuclear-related fields.
He also highlighted challenges in the construction sector, warning that the country’s once-strong industrial base has been significantly weakened.
“Historically, we had the big five construction companies; now we’re left with one,” he said. “If we’re going to ramp up this build programme, we need an industry that can meet the demand. Government will work with the sector to help rebuild that capacity.”
Ramokgopa assured industry stakeholders that the government’s commitment to the nuclear build programme would be consistent.
“Of course, the assurance they want from us is that we’re not going to start and stop,” he added.
Globally, nuclear power is experiencing renewed momentum, with more than 20 countries committing to expand their nuclear energy portfolios at COP28 in 2023. South Africa sees this as a strategic opportunity to position itself as a player in the evolving global nuclear economy.
The government’s proposed plan will include localising elements of the nuclear fuel cycle, explore small modular reactor (SMR) technologies, and developing local industrial capabilities to support job creation and economic transformation.
Ramokgopa noted that about 100 SMR technologies are currently under feasibility assessment worldwide, and more than 40 major financial institutions have pledged to finance nuclear projects, providing further confidence in the sector’s future.
“We want to develop a nuclear industrialisation plan that creates jobs, builds industries, and supports our broader economic transformation,” Ramokgopa said.
Ramokgopa that South Africa’s nuclear strategy aims to position the technology not only as an energy solution but as a catalyst for industrial development and sustainable economic growth.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
