Amidst severe power outages, South Africa has announced plans to integrate an additional 2,500 megawatts of nuclear power generation, as confirmed by the government on Tuesday.
Currently, Africa’s only nuclear power facility, the Koeberg plant near Cape Town, is operating at merely half its capacity.
Zizamele Mbambo, the deputy director general of nuclear power at the energy ministry, outlined during a press briefing that the initial of these new units is anticipated to commence operations between 2032 and 2033.
Mbambo highlighted that South Africa has already invited proposals from various suppliers for this project.
Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, the Electricity Minister, hailed the incorporation of 2,500MW of nuclear power as a “significant milestone.” He underscored its crucial role in addressing the nation’s urgent power shortages and ensuring enduring energy stability.
South Africa has been contending with prolonged power cuts lasting up to 12 hours daily over the past 15 years, resulting in substantial economic damage and impacting the government’s credibility, especially with upcoming elections next year.
Eskom, the national power utility, has been embroiled in corruption allegations and operational challenges, contributing to these ongoing power disruptions.
In efforts to extend the Koeberg plant’s lifespan by two decades, one unit was recently offline for nearly a year, and the second unit underwent temporary closure this week for maintenance purposes.