South Africa Unveils Nuclear Ambitions in New Energy Plan
The most-industrialized nation on the continent, South Africa relies on coal to generate the bulk of its electricity.
Photographer: Dwayne Senior/BloombergSouth Africa intends to revive a controversial modular nuclear reactor program and step up its reliance on gas to generate electricity, according to a new energy-policy blueprint unveiled by the nation’s electricity and energy minister.
A revised Integrated Resource Plan approved by the cabinet last week envisions 2.23 trillion rand ($128 billion) being invested in energy infrastructure by 2042, with nuclear and gas accounting for 16% of total generation capacity in the next 14 years compared to 3% currently, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told reporters on Sunday. Dependence on coal will drop to 27% in that same period, from 58%, he said.