The South African government has approved its 2010-2030 Integrated Resource Plan, which puts coal, gas, renewables and 9,600 MW of nuclear energy into the country’s energy landscape by 2030.
Late October, the newly appointed Energy Minister, David Mahlobo, declared that South Africa will strengthen the sustainable use of nuclear energy to drive its development agenda, despite growing criticism of the project.
“As a developing country, the vector of our political decision for nuclear energy is the economy of the energy source,” Mr. Mahlobo told representatives attending the 44th meeting of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) in the city of Cape Town.
GIF is an international initiative to conduct the research and development needed to establish the feasibility and performance capabilities of next-generation nuclear power systems.
“We value a mix of coal, gas, renewable energy and nuclear energy – each of these options plays a role, some of the energy sources are intermittent power sources, while others like nuclear and coal, are basic base supplies, “he continued.
South Africa has decided to pursue nuclear power and recognizes the role of nuclear power as a base load source for ensuring electricity distribution and combating climate change.
The country is home to the only nuclear power plant in Africa, the Koeberg power plant, located near the city of Cape Town.
Currently, nuclear power constitutes about 6% of South Africa’s energy mix, with 1,800 MW of electricity distributed on the national grid by the Koeberg power station.
For Minister Mahlobo, 3rd generation nuclear power plants are a good economic choice for South Africa.
He added that South Africa is eager to deploy more sophisticated 4th generation nuclear power plants.
“The sustainability of our environment is vital, and as a committed party to the Paris Convention, South Africa has set ambitious targets for reducing carbon dioxide that 4th generation reactors will help achieve, with nuclear the lowest emitter of carbon dioxide from all sources of energy, “insisted the minister.
