ATC241031: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy on the Nuclear Energy Summit dated 30 October 2024

Electricity and Energy

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy on the Nuclear Energy Summit dated 30 October 2024.  

 

The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy (PCEE), having attended the Nuclear Energy Summit on 12 September 2024, reports as follows:

 

1. Introduction

The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy was invited by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) to attend the Nuclear Energy Summit, held on Thursday, 12 September 2024 at the River Meadow Manor, in Irene, Pretoria.

 

The Summit is part of the Minister of Electricity and Energy’s series of stakeholder consultations and activities aimed at addressing key issues in the energy sector. Under the theme “Enhancing Nuclear technology for Sustainable Development in South Africa”, the Minister engaged with the nuclear industry and nuclear community stakeholders on the role and attributes of nuclear power in the context of climate change and low carbon transition, to discuss main challenges facing the nuclear sector and explore solutions for tapping the full potential of nuclear power in South Africa.

 

The Summit also provided an opportunity for the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientso Ramokgopa, to engage with stakeholders in the nuclear community on the role and attributes of nuclear power in the context of climate change, and to discuss the main challenges facing the nuclear sector and explore solutions for realising the full potential of nuclear power in South Africa.   

 

2. Composition of the delegation

 

2.1 Members of Parliament

 

Name of Member	Political Party
Hon. M Mvana	African National Congress (ANC)
Hon. M Mofokeng	African National Congress (ANC)
Hon K Mileham	Democratic Alliance (DA)
Hon. N Paulsen	Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
Hon. N Kwankwa	United Democratic Movement (UDM)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.2 Parliamentary Staff

 

Name	Designation
Mr. A Kotze	Committee Secretary

 

3.Nuclear Summit Report

3.1 Opening remarks - Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Hon S Graham-Mare

 

According to the Deputy Minister there is global acceptance of nuclear energy as an integral part of the solution to mitigate the impact of climate change. The Deputy Minister reiterated that all need to work together to ensure that nuclear energy becomes an important part of the Just Energy Transition.

 

The Deputy Minister said it is clear that nuclear is a critical component of South Africa’s energy mix – offering a low carbon, reliable source of energy that can contribute significantly to the country’s energy security and climate goals.

 

The Deputy Minister confirmed that South Africa remains committed to fulfilling the objectives of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019, while refining the IRP 2023. She highlighted that the IRP sets out a requirement of 2 500MW of nuclear power to ensure the stability of South Africa’s power grid. In turn, driving the reindustrialisation of our economy and the promise of economic growth that leads to job creation.

 

The Deputy Minister added that although the new nuclear build is urgent for ensuring energy stability, the Ministry will not compromise on “public participation, adherence of statutory regulatory requirements and openness and transparency in decision making, procurement and the implementation of our new nuclear build”.

 

The Deputy Minister pointed out that the negative perceptions around nuclear energy must be changed. She noted that nuclear still carries somewhat of a stigma. Much of this is ignorance perpetuated by [a view of] government “shrouded in secrecy manned by scientists in hazmat suits and the fear generated through the cold war era of the total destruction of the planet as a result of a nuclear war. It is up to all of us to change these perceptions”.

 

The Deputy Minister stated that given South Africa’s expertise and commitment to nuclear energy over the years, this summit is a key engagement with the nuclear industry in SA, thatshe hopes will become a regular feature of our agenda.

 

 

 

3.2 Keynote Address – Minister of Electricityand Energy, Hon K Ramokgopa

 

The Minister stated that developing 2500 megawatts of new nuclear energy generation, as highlighted in the Integrated Resource Plan 2019 (IRP 2019), is firmly on the table as part of the country’s future energy mix.

 

The Minister highlighted that South Africa would follow the science to develop nuclear power capacity as part of the country’s just transition to cleaner renewable energy, including wind, solar and hydropower. This is despite challenges by what the Minister calls “emotionally charged lobbyists” - environmentalists - who cite the dangers of nuclear power and radioactive waste disposal; without paying attention to the science.

 

He said the government’s recent withdrawal of the January 2024 gazette of a ministerial determination to procure nuclear power under the Electricity Regulation Act was to ensure the public participation process is transparent, “clean” and “democratic”.

 

The Minister stated that although renewable energy is ascending in use and popularity, there remains “little conversation” about nuclear power from scientists. The Minister asked, “Where are the nuclear people? Because we’ve got the sterling record of 76 years of contribution to the science and technology, at least to the extent that nuclearis responsible for power … for purposes of electrification,”.

 

The Minister emphasized that South Africa has entered an arena and a period in this evolving energy complex, of lobbyists, of those who ‘appropriate to themselves, the know-how’ of a technology, and they’ve got the capacity and the potential to undermine and discredit a technology not supported by science and evidence. The Minister stated that the scientific community has a duty to dispel “these myths” regarding dangers of nuclear power. The Minister further stated that politicians and policymakers have also “soiled” the reputation of the technology “because of allegations of malfeasance, leakage, corruption, manipulation” and the wasting of money. This according to the Minister is what nonscientists that do not have a scientific basis use, to push back and invalidate the argument.

 

According to the Minister, the government will announce its next steps regarding its nuclear energy plans, soon, because some of the underlying assumptions, such as Eskom’s generation performance, highlighted in the IRP 2019 plan have changed. The Minister continued to state that if there are complexities, or the process of the 2500MW build programme is compromised, and on our own version, “having studied the process objectively, we find that it is compromised, we have a duty to pull it back, to clean it so that you don’t conflate the science and the process. Because when you misstep on the process, you are inviting legal practitioners to enter the domain of science.We are cleaning the process, making it as democratic as possible. Those who have objections can raise those objections based on the science … It’s important that the process is credible.”

 

The Minister pointed out that the Summit had gathered some of the country’s top scientists to address the nuclear issue and to make it “fashionable, funky and youthful”.  The Minister reiterated that nuclear energy is part of the energy mix and that nuclear is part of the future; it is indispensable to the attainment of energy sovereignty in the country. The Minister emphasized that science must trump emotions and politics.

 

The Minister further pointed out that nuclear is also competitive from a capital cost point of view, because the use of small modular reactors, which could be placed close to sources of consumption, will mean Eskom will not have to expand its distribution lines and the country could also export its nuclear energy skills to the rest of the continent.

 

In his address, the Minister also stressed the need for the general public to understand the science behind nuclear energy and its everyday applications, noting that nuclear energy can transform society, stimulate economic growth and lift people out of poverty. Furthermore, Dr Ramokgopa emphasised the central role of nuclear energy in South Africa’s energy mix and warned that the country should not lag behind as the rest of the world continues to develop and embrace this technology. 

 

The Minister reassured those in attendance that government will “carry the responsibility of ensuring that this process that we’re undertaking is subject to the highest levels of public scrutiny, and the last thing we want is to do a major build program on the back of suspicion that the department and government is hiding something from the public.”

 

3.3 The Status and Value of Nuclear Energy for Africa: Mr R. Grossi –International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): Director General

 

Mr. R. Grossistated that it is recognized throughout the world and specifically Africa and South Africa, what significant contribution nuclear energy developments can make, under the current circumstances. Energy security and needs are at the base of every societal problem and challenges, and it is obvious that without an adequate answer to the energy challenges, the prospect of any serious economic development is limited in Africa.

 

There is a need to contrast these evident economic needs with the equally important situation which the country has in terms of other challenges, e.g. in terms of climate change, and how the country moves forward economically, in a way where these processesdo not cause any harm environmentally or otherwise. It is based on the that the IAEA, has been increasing the drive for nuclear energy interest. The Chernobyl (Russia) and Fukushima (Japan) incidents contributed to the sceptical views of many regarding nuclear energy.  These views are now part of the past as the nuclear sector has shown enormous resilience, i.e. nuclear safety culture, the nuclear safety structures, where these parameters have been strengthened, by the IAEA and its member states (including South Africa). Countries now in Africa and Latin-America has started to show interest in the development of nuclear energy as a source of energy, which has almost no carbon dioxide emissions. Nuclear energy is thus a source of energy that ensures that it is dispatchable and reliable, in any energy mix.

 

The IAEA confirmed that they are firm supporters of renewable energies. What is needed is intelligent choices and alternatives, to be made available for countries, especially low- and middle-income countries. It is also encouraging to see the proportionate increase interest of renewable energy in the world and Africa.

 

Nuclear energy has moved from a notable absent to one which is being recognised to be accelerated, which reflects a global consensus. Nuclear energy with other carbon free technologies should be accelerated. There is thus a realisation, that this “instrument is already there in a number of countries”. It must also be indicated that nuclear energy makes a relatively small portion of global supply, around 10 – 12 percent of electricity being produced.

 

South Africa now is the only country on the continent, which has an operating nuclear power plant, i.e. the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant and the IAEA supports the current processes of SA to move to a larger proportion of nuclear energy into the national grid. Discussions and decisions on how to do it and when to do it is entirely in its own domain. The IAEA is working with other African countries who want to approach nuclear energy include Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Ghana, Uganda, Morocco, Kenye, Niger, Zambia. All these countries are at different stages of their path towards nuclear energy and are working closely with the IAEA in order to:

 

• make informed decisions.
• reinforce their national workforce, i.e. capacity building which is needed for a successful nuclear programme.

 

The nuclear industry is moving towards small modular reactors (SMR), these are reactors which are smaller and cheaper. Several of the African countries, as mentioned above, have shown interest in this development.

 

Nuclear energy has also been instrumental in the growth and development of several technological sectors of a country, as is the case in South Africa. Nuclear energy which is active and present in the world can and should also play an important part on the African continent.

 

3.4 The status of Nuclear Energy in the Republic of South Africa (RSA)

 

According to the DMRE, nuclear is a central part of the South African electricity mix to provide baseload electricity. It provides one of the cheapest electricity generation options.

SA are implementing an energy mix, and nuclear is part of the energy mix that South Africa is going to implement to ensure that the country has a secure and sustainable energy solution.

 

Forthe country to manage and address energy sovereignty, itneeds to exploit to the fullestthe resources that South Africa have relating to nuclear for peaceful purposes. Government policy is thus that it must serve the national interest, according to the DMRE.

 

Nuclear energy will form part of government strategy to address climate change. It was added that the country is following the energy mix, and all these sources are important to provide the country with a sustainable solution.

 

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) stated that there are two (2) aspects of nuclear technology:

• Power applications, which Eskom is running fully at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant; and
• Industrial applications, which gets dissected into three (3) areas: Medical applications, non-destructive testing in the normal factories and industry and agriculture. These according to NECSA are prominent aspects of nuclear use for industrial applications, and this is where NECSA is playing a predominant role.

 

According to NECSA, if the value chain of nuclear is further decoded, it consists of the following areas:

• Mining – where the private players are involved, in terms of mining uranium
• Converting the ore from solid to gas, i.e. conversion
• Enrichment process– enrich from natural uranium to uranium which is useful in terms of application and industry
• Fabricating the fuel assembly, which will go into the reactor – either a nuclear reactor (Eskom run at Koeberg) or the research reactor, which NECSA is running.
• Waste management

 

The objective is to enable the NECSA to be involved in the front-end development of uranium, which includes conversion, enrichment and fabrication. NECSA’s mandate thus mustbe strengthened to ensure that they deliver and perform.

 

NECSA is currently working on a project to build a new reactor, called the Multi-Purpose Reactor, which will at some point be a successor to the Safari-1reactor. NECSA produces isotopes for medical treatment, where they are occupying 20 percent of the international market. As part of the nuclear value chain, they have nuclear grade manufacturing facilities, where they produce some of the equipment for the Koeberg plant. Further to this, the research reactor contributes to the research “body of knowledge”, in the international domain, where their researchers do a lot of research, which is published globally. The aim is to commercial these soon.

 

With the introduction of a nuclear power program in South Africa during the 1970’s it was realized that radioactive waste will have to be managed and that will require a national site for the disposal of the country’s nuclear waste. In November 2005 Cabinet approved and published the radioactive waste management policy and strategy, which identified the need for the implementation of an independent radioactive waste disposal institute.

 

 

The National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute Act (no. 53 of 2008) was drafted and became effective on the 1st of December 2009 endorsing the establishment of the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI).NRWDI stated that its objective is to consistently and continuously apply an integrated and accountable radioactive waste management and disposal approach, in order to ensure that no undue burden is placed on future generations due to past, present and future involvement in nuclear programs.

 

National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute NRWDI) said there is a need to demystify the myths associated with radioactive waste and nuclear energy.

 

3.5 Panel Discussions

3.5.1 Future Technology Prospects and their Strategic Importance

 

NECSA stated that the transfer of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) from Eskom to NECSA has not been finalised yet. NECSA stated that they are looking forward in resuscitating the technology and taking it forward. NECSA stated that one of their key strategies is positioning itself for energy generation with Small Modular Reactors and the PBMR is one of those. However, according to NECSA, the country has lost some ground with this technology, and it would thus make more sense to identify a partner, to take this technology further - but this partner must not be prescriptive in what the country wants to do.

 

According to Eskom, all of the credible nuclear energy designs globally are sound and South Africawill need to make a strategic decision of where it wants to go, and to have the courage to follow through on it. Eskom stated that there are a number of SMR technologies which are still in the “talking space” and they are not yet in a regulatory space.

 

The costs of a plant are crucial, both for SMRs and Pressurised Water Reactors (PWRs). Mr H Kruger (Energy Analyst) said that Unit 1 of the Koeberg Plant has now been extended for another 20 years, but in that period, South Africa need to start planning and building anew reactor because eventually, the cost of running coal plants will become so expensive that electricity won’t be affordable. He further noted that discussions are ongoing regarding the type of nuclear technology to employ, with a preference for advanced technologies known for their rapid deployment, cost-effectiveness and efficiency. He emphasised that a project of this magnitude will require careful consideration and time.

 

Mr Kruger proposed that SA should look at what the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has done, who has completed the project successfully (where 150 South Africans were involved). In terms of SMRs, Mr Kruger stated that these are different and acknowledged that SMRs has not yet been proven. What is important in this case, is the cost which the vendor agrees on, should be the final costs.

 

Mr Kruger stated that he “pushes back” redoing the PBMR. The focus should be on what South Africa can learn from this technology.

 

According to NECSA, technologies which are already proven are PWR. NECSA stated that SMRs are probably the future as the country was initially at the forefront of the PBMR technology, where lots of funding was spent on it. The fuel produced from the PBMR was one of the best in the world.

 

3.5.2 Readiness of the Industry for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs)

 

According to Westinghouse they not only deliver products, but also create technologies. They indicated that they have changed how people think about nuclear reactors, where they built these in China and the United Sates of America (USA). There are currently six (6) of those running, with record-breaking performances and energy availability factors.

 

Westinghouse is offering a smaller-scale nuclear reactor in an effort to expand access to nuclear power as demand for clean energy soars. They have developed a small version of its flagship AP1000 nuclear reactor. According to Westinghouse, they used the same components, the same supply chain, the same modular design and same construction. Their SMR was launched in 2023, and this year their design specifications are going in for certification.

 

On localisation, Westinghouse stated that their philosophy is “We buy where we build”. They stated that the local industry is taken onboard, as it is important to bring the local supply chain into consideration. According to Westinghouse it is imperative to have the right quality and skill on the ground for it to be successful. Through their experiences it is thus possible to upskill a country and expand, and that those countries become exporters of

the technology, e.g. South Korea to Morocco.

 

The global experience has shown that it is do-able, and it can be financed. Westinghouse acknowledge that nuclear power plants are capital intensive, but they are long term projects +- 60 years. There are also various options how these projects can be funded and make them affordable.

 

Nuclear energy costs might be three times more than renewable energy, but it generates three times more power per year, it lasts three times longer and its clean reliable power, so based on this, nuclear energy costs are justifiable, according to NuEnergy Developments.

 

3.5.3 Nuclear Non-Power Applications

 

The first power station to produce electricity by using heat from the splitting of uranium atoms began operating in the 1950s. Today most people are aware of the important contribution nuclear energy makes in providing a significant proportion of the world's low-carbon electricity.

 

The applications of nuclear technology outside of civil electricity production in power plants, are less well-known.

Radioisotopes, nuclear power process heat and non-stationary power reactors have essential uses across multiple sectors, including consumer products, food and agriculture, industry, medicine and scientific research, transport, and water resources and the environment.

Nuclear energy has the potential to increase worldwide energy and water security through non-electric applications, such as seawater desalination, hydrogen production, district heating and various industrial applications.

 

Non-electric applications powered by nuclear energy could present sustainable solutions for a number of energy challenges current and future generations will have to face. There is growing interest around the world in using nuclear energy for such applications as seawater desalination, hydrogen production, district heating and various industrial applications.

 

Nuclear desalination has been demonstrated to be a viable option to meet the growing demand for potable water around the globe, providing hope to areas in arid and semi-arid zones that face acute water shortages. Nuclear desalination can also be used in the efficient water management of nuclear power plants, in particular in regions with water scarcity, to ensure a regular water supply is available for all phases of the construction, operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants.

 

Hydrogen, of which there are no natural deposits, plays a key role in many industrial applications. It is widely recognized as an environmentally friendly energy carrier and can be used as a clean fuel for transportation without contributing to global warming. Nuclear hydrogen production technologies show great potential and have several advantages over other sources that might be considered for a growing hydrogen share in a future world energy economy. Aside from lowering carbon taxes, electricity input to hydrogen production is decreasing with the higher temperatures offered by high temperature nuclear reactors. Additionally, generating electricity at such high temperatures is significantly more efficient.

 

Industrial applications and nuclear cogeneration involve the integration of nuclear power plants with other systems and applications. Aside from its use for desalination and hydrogen production, the heat generated by nuclear power plants can be used to produce a vast range of other products, such as cooling, heating and process heat.

 

The IAEA supports and facilitates the development of new and emerging applications of nuclear technologies by co-generation and heat applications, including seawater desalination. It provides for the exchange of information on the various non-electric applications; publishes technical and economic documents; works with Member States in the context of coordinated research programmes; and organizes technical meetings on the topic. The Agency has developed a variety of software tools to give decision makers in the Member States information on the feasibility of non-electric applications using nuclear energy.

 

3.5.4. Policy in relation to Regulatory Considerations: International Best Practices

 

The regulatory framework is either the “make or break” in the nuclear industry, however, the industry cannot function without policy e.g. in South Africa the Nuclear Energy Act. The nuclear industry is a “regime of regulations”, both locally and internationally, according to the DMRE.             

 

The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) highlighted that it is important to have a regulator in the nuclear industry, which is separated from an entity which is charged with promoting nuclear power or applications. In 1999 the National Nuclear Regulator Act of 47 of 1999 was enacted which intends:

• to provide for the establishment of a National Nuclear Regulator in order to regulate nuclear activities, for its objects and functions, for the manner in which it is to be managed and for its staff matters;
• to provide for safety standards and regulatory practices for protection of persons, property and the environment against nuclear damage.

 

In terms of the safety fundamentals, the regulatory framework of the NNR is very well grounded in international safety standards.

 

The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment (DFFE) highlighted that they do not have anything specific relating to nuclear in its mandate. Their mandate is in terms of the Environmental Management Act. Their mandate is to achieve sustainable development, but also to do it in a sustainable and responsible manner, i.e. it is not to delay development, but to find a way of how to promote economic development in SA.  What is important to note is what the impact of these developments aretowards mitigation measures to manage these to ensure that SA is not environmentally irresponsible.There are Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations, which need to be complied with, which can be a cumbersome process. This process, according to the DFFE does not need to as cumbersome, if the DFFE are involved in the process from an early stage throughout the process. The DFFE further stated that in many projects there are various departments and entities involved, and what is crucial is integration and coordination amongst all those involved.

 

According to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), the control over weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is globally pursued through international agreements and arrangements (treaties, conventions and control Regimes) relating to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, their specific means of delivery and the associated dual-use ramifications. South Africa subscribes to, supports and participates in most of these agreements and arrangements.In South Africa due regard has been taken of the gravity of the possible proliferation of weapons of mass destruction with policy development and the enactment of specific legislation in the form of the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, 1993 Act No.87 of 1993).This legislation provides for control over WMD and establishes the South African Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (the Council) to control and manage matters relating to the proliferation of such weapons. The Council shall; on behalf of the State, protect the interests, carry out the responsibilities and fulfil the obligations of the Republic with regard to non-proliferation, and advise the Minister with regard to any matter which it deems necessary, and which falls within the purview of this Act.

The functions the Council, are amongst others:

• To control and manage all activities relating to non‑proliferation, and provide guidance,
  instructions and information in connection therewith.
• To implement matters arising from international conventions, treaties and agreements
  related to proliferation affairs entered or ratified by the Government of the Republic.
• To obtain or promote the co‑operation between government departments and other
  government institutions, as well as industry.
• To identify and indicate to the Minister goods to be declared controlled goods and
  activities.

 

 

3.5.5. Research and Development in the Nuclear Industry

 

According to the DMRE, they developed a strategy and policy focusing on nuclear research development and innovation i.e. (1) coordinate the amount of research and development across the country in different institutions and (2) what is the focus, due to the limited resources available. There are niche areas, e.g. isotope production. The DMRE then did a benchmark study of more than 10 countries, who has nuclear research and innovation strategy policies. The DMRE then developed a position paper, which will soon be released for public consultations and engagements. Complimentary to the above, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAF) also wrote a paper, with recommendations to Government relating to nuclear development and research.

The DMRE stated that nuclear research and development consists of two main areas:

• Infrastructure – research reactor, accelerators etc
• Human resources – critical for any new nuclear build

 

NECSA stated that the mandate of the Research and Innovation Division (R&I) is to grow and maintain core research capacity in line with the NECSA mandate on the following nuclear, radiation and related fields. The three research focus areas in R&I are: Radiation and Reactor Theory (RRT), Applied Chemistry (AC) and Applied Radiation (AR). Through these focus areas, the R&I Division contributes primarily to the intellectual capital of NECSA This is accomplished via the main research outputs in the form of innovation disclosures, peer-reviewed publications and technical and contract research reports.

R&I is committed to develop and maintain a group of highly qualified and skilled employees to comply with its mandate of maintaining a core research capacity. It is the responsibility of these highly skilled researchers to ensure that the NECSA Group is on the forefront with regard to new technologies and being innovative in their development of new products. The main research outputs and list of publications are proof of the contribution to intellectual capital by the R&I Division.

According to the NECSA one of its primary stakeholders are academia, who will utilise the nuclear facilities and a major output of these are publications of their research conducted. Another key element is the interaction with international nuclear facilities, and NECSA highlighted that within a scientific perspective, the openness and willingness of these facilities to share information is welcomed and appreciated. NECSA further stated that several SA scientists have been trained at these international facilities through fellowships and scientific visits etc, where NECSA has benefitted immensely.

NECSA highlighted that at one stage SA was the world leader in the PBMR technology and emphasised that SA need to focus on pockets of excellence.

One of the key issues in the newly developed research and innovation policy and strategy is human resource development, the DMRE pointed out that it needs to be done in a synchronized way. According to the DMRE SA are training many students from Africa and around the world which come to SA to learn, as does SA go around the world to train and learn. With the new Multi-Purpose Reactor (MPR), the neutron Beam line centre, is going to take a different form and shape as to what it currently is. The current Beamline Centre is owned and operated by NECSA and the allocation time for Beam line researchers to come and do research is done by NECSA. These Beam lines are over-subscribed, i.e. the amount of research applications received versus the amount of time they have is over double. The way forward and international best practise, by ringfencing this beam line as a national research facility, the beam time will be managed by academics and communities of academics, who then decide and look at research proposals. This not only ensures peer review, but also buy-in.

 

 

On commercialisation, the DMRE stated that nuclear research reactors are social investments. A couple of years ago (1998) Safari-1 was on the verge of shutdown and the scientists had to go out and pioneer and be one of the first commercialised research reactors in the world. According to the DMRE, SA has the framework on which to work on as SA has big success in this and the country can grow on that.

4. Way forward – as presented by the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Hon K Ramokgopa

 

The Minister stated that nuclear power has been identified as a potential long-term solution to South Africa’s energy crisis. Despite the push for renewable energy and ongoing efforts to stabilise the power grid through sources like solar and wind, nuclear energy remains part of the conversation as the country seeks to ensure energy security. This comes amid frequent load shedding and the growing demand for a reliable baseload power source.

Minister Ramokgopa emphasised that the newly assembled expert panel would help shape a comprehensive nuclear procurement plan that addresses both affordability and transparency. The panel will assess the financial implications and determine the most appropriate scale at which the nuclear programme should be implemented. The findings of the expert group will also inform the next steps in the public consultation process and the drafting of a procurement framework.

The Minister stressed the importance of maintaining an open and democratic process, where all energy technologies and fuel sources will be considered, ensuring that South Africa’s energy sovereignty is upheld. The expert panel’s advice will guide the nation in choosing a path that balances energy needs, environmental sustainability, and economic feasibility.

Nuclear energy remains a controversial subject in South Africa, primarily due to its cost and the country’s past procurement attempts, which were marred by allegations of corruption and irregularities. However, the Minister assured the public that the current approach will be different. This time, the government aims to ensure that the nuclear procurement process is transparent and credible, thus avoiding the missteps of previous efforts.

The Minister reiterated that nuclear energy is part of a larger strategy to diversify the energy mix, alongside renewables, natural gas, and coal. He assured that the procurement process for the 2,500MW nuclear capacity would be handled with care, ensuring that any nuclear expansion is affordable and meets the country’s long-term energy needs.

As part of ensuring transparency, the Minister highlighted that the procurement framework would be subject to public participation before any major decisions are made. The government aims to consult with various stakeholders, including environmental groups, energy experts, and the public, to ensure that all voices are heard in the development of South Africa’s nuclear strategy.

While the 2019 IRP has laid the groundwork for nuclear energy as part of the country’s future energy mix, the plan will only move forward if it is deemed financially and environmentally sustainable. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) is expected to play a significant role in ensuring that any decisions related to nuclear energy procurement comply with regulatory frameworks and public interest.

 

5. Recommendations

 

It is recommended that the Minister of Electricity and Energy should:

 

1. Address all outstanding issues regarding the decision to withdraw the gazette to procure 2,500MW of nuclear generation capacity
2. Revise or update the country’s 2008 Nuclear Energy Policy, as many domestic and international changes have occurred since its adoption by cabinet. The policy should also be reconsidered and/or reviewed.
3. Revise and update existing nuclear legislation to account for the said changes and theshortcomings.
4. Conduct a skills audit to determine the state of nuclear energy training and education in the country. This audit should include an assessment of existing national and inter-governmental training programmes.
5. Ensure that all efforts are put in place to ensure that NECSA is ready for the Nuclear New Build programme, to ensure increased performance and financial viability.
6. Ensure that the funding model of the future nuclear build is advantageous to South Africa.
7. Continuously conduct public education on nuclear energy. Education campaigns should be consistent and continuous, and its impact should be assessed.
8. Ensure constant public consultation on the country’s nuclear future.
9. Finalize the Central Interim Storage Facility (CISF) Gateway Review Project so that this project can get shovel readiness since spent nuclear fuel and other nuclear waste cannot be stored indefinitely on the waste generator site.
10. Ensure future nuclear summits held by the Department of Electricity and Energy must invite civil society to make inputs to provide a balanced view on nuclear.
11. Ensure that there is more transparency regarding nuclear procurement, especially financially.

 

REPORT TO BE CONSIDERED