South Africa drops nuclear in favour of renewables

• 5 years ago (2018-08-29)
• David Flin

Africa 302 Nuclear 639

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The South African Department of Energy has announced that the Cabinet has approved the draft updated Integrated Resources Plan (IRP 2018) which will see increased renewable energy generation in place of planned nuclear expansion. Former President Jacob Zuma wanted to expand South Africa’s nuclear power sector by adding eight new nuclear plants with a combined capacity of 9 GW. However, following his resignation in February of this year, the push for nuclear power has been replaced by a desire to increase the country’s renewable energy capacity.

Jeff Radebe, Energy Minister, announced that the Cabinet had approved the updated IRP 2018 which would increase renewable energy capacity, and add only a minimal amount of new coal. Radebe said: “South Africa needs to invest in a strong network of economic infrastructure designed to support the country’s medium- and long-term economic and social objectives.” This does not include nuclear power, and according to the revised draft, there will be no new nuclear capacity until at least 2030, and then the Government will conduct a study to determine if more nuclear is needed.

The new draft of the IRP includes no new nuclear power, and only 1 GW of new coal capacity by 2030, but it plans for additional renewable capacity of over 15 GW, as well as 8.1 GW of new natural gas capacity.