South Africa is committed to developing nuclear energy despite recent setbacks as it is one of the only viable solutions for replacing baseload power.
Speaking at the second SANEDI annual energy conference in Midrand on October 23, CEO Titus Mathe said South Africa will lose 8 GW of baseload electricity by 2030 due to decommissioning fossil fuel-powered stations in the renewable energy transition. “Finding a sustainable energy source to replace this dispatchable energy is a complex problem.
“Other possible options are limited. Battery storage is extremely expensive and the country currently cannot afford to implement this technology at a large scale. Hydropower can take around 15 years to develop and clean coal solutions such as carbon capture technology are still in research phase.”
Government recently paused its plans to procure 2,5 GW of nuclear generation capacity due to legal concerns regarding public consultation.
Timing is crucial and the need for decisions is urgent as nuclear takes time to develop. “We cannot do it piecemeal. It must be large-scale to meet the nation’s future energy demands,” Mathe said.
Carbon considerations
South Africa is under pressure to shift to renewable energy and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. “If we don’t adopt this technology, our economy risks falling behind. The trading environment favours products from low-carbon economies and Europe is imposing charges based on carbon content,” said Eskom Group Executive for Distribution Monde Bala.
Nuclear energy provides a solution that can be retrofitted into existing power plants using modular reactors. “South Africa has been a leading country in modular reactor technology, which is a precursor to small modular reactors that countries such as China are using,” said Vikesh Rajpaul, Eskom GM. “This is far safer than water-cooled reactor technology and does not require access to water, which makes it a key tech option for repurposing coal-fired power stations. It can use existing infrastructure, including transmission infrastructure.
“There is going to be a need for dispatchable energy sources. Variable renewable energy is great but sometimes the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine.”
Public engagement
As public concerns about nuclear energy persist, SANEDI has taken a proactive role in engaging with communities and stakeholders, added Mathe. The Department of Electricity and Energy has launched a stakeholder engagement programme with SANEDI providing technical support to address public misconceptions and share the benefits of nuclear energy. SANEDI technical support conducted the first session.
Additionally, SANEDI’s involvement with international organisations, such as the International Energy Agency and BRICS, allows South Africa to draw on the expertise of leading nuclear energy countries, including Russia and China. “We’re learning from global leaders and we bring this knowledge back to support our local nuclear efforts,” Mathe said.
