South Africa has put the brakes on its plans for a new nuclear power station. Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa announced on Friday that the launch of the procurement process would be delayed to allow for more public consultation, following legal challenges to the project.
The government had initially announced in December 2022 its intention to seek bids for an additional 2,500 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power. However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) party, now part of the unity government, and two non-governmental organizations filed legal challenges to block the procurement.
Minister Ramokgopa acknowledged the need for greater public engagement in the process. He stated that a document in the government gazette, intended to facilitate the procurement, would be withdrawn. Officials will revise a report addressing the energy regulator’s conditions for supporting the procurement and engage in further public consultations.
Despite the delay, Ramokgopa emphasized the government’s commitment to expanding nuclear capacity beyond the existing 1,900 MW Koeberg plant near Cape Town. He stressed the importance of a transparent and sustainable procurement process, stating that “Nuclear is part of the future, but it’s important that as we go out and procure, the procurement process must be able to stand the test of time.”
The minister anticipates a three to six-month delay in the procurement process. South Africa’s nuclear ambitions have faced public skepticism following a controversial 9,600 MW deal with Russia during Jacob Zuma’s presidency, which was ultimately halted in 2017 due to legal challenges.
While South Africa has grappled with power outages for years, the situation has improved significantly in recent months. The country has experienced no power cuts for over four months. Koeberg, the only operational nuclear power plant on the African continent, recently received a 20-year life extension.
