Question NW3405 to the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
07 November 2023 - NW3405
Yako, Ms Y to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
What are the relevant details of the actions that has been taken since he assumed Office to increase the ratio of nuclear in the energy mix of the Republic since, according to industry experts, nuclear is not only clean but also cheaper than renewable energy?
Reply:
The supply of South Africa’s energy demand is broadly determined by the energy mix as set out in The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019. Based on the 2019 IRP, Coal constitutes 43% of installed capacity followed by Wind (22.53) Solar PV (10.5) CSP (0, 76) Nuclear (2,36) and Gas and Diesel (8.1) Hydro (5.84).
Whilst the IRP is currently being reviewed, Coal, Nuclear and Gas is expected to continue to be significant contributors to SA’s base load demand in the foreseeable future, with investments in cleaner technologies to mitigate negative environmental impacts, coupled with and battery storage to neutralise and solar/wind hybrid solutions to stabilise the intermittency challenges of renewables.