SA’s nuclear power targets 2 500 MW

ELectricity Minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has announced that South Africa will initiate a procurement process for an additional 2 500 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power to tackle blackouts that have crippled the nation.

The first of the new units will likely be operational in 2032 or 2033.

One of the two units at South Africa’s only nuclear power facility, the 1,860-megawatt Koeberg plant near Cape Town, underwent maintenance for nearly a year until November.

South Africa’s persistent power problem has had a severe impact on its economy, taking a huge chunk out of its gross domestic product.

The first of the new units will likely be operational in 2032 or 2033, Department of Energy Deputy Director-General for Nuclear Zizamele Mbambo told reporters Tuesday in the capital, Pretoria.

According to data provided by Eskom, South Africa is facing a severe electricity crisis in 2023, surpassing the levels of power cuts experienced last year. The crises is primarily attributed to the frequent breakdowns of Eskom’s ageing coal-fired plants

With elections looming next year and public outrage mounting about the energy deficit, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to his post in March to oversee the government’s response to the crisis, Bloomberg reported.

One of the two units at South Africa’s only nuclear power facility, the 1 860-megawatt Koeberg plant near Cape Town, underwent maintenance for nearly a year until November. Eskom is gradually restoring it to full service. – Business Insider Africa