The National Electricity Regulator of SA (Nersa) has approved the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s procurement of 2 500MW of nuclear energy, according to the Sunday Times.
The department says that it “will now embark on preparations” for the procurement process.
The decision will be met by strong objections from critics who believe South Africa’s future needs lie with renewables, which mineral resources and energy minister, Gwede Mantashe, has been reluctant to fully support.
“In line with minister Gwede Mantashe’s policy pronouncement during this year’s budget vote in parliament, the department plans to issue the request for proposal (RFP) at the end of the 2021/22 financial year. The department aims to complete the procurement of the 2 500MW nuclear programme in 2024 in line with the five-year strategic plan and the medium-term strategic framework to ensure security of energy supply,” the department said.
It said the procurement in 2024 provides adequate time for construction, commissioning, and connection to the electricity grid.
The procurement results partly from the planned decommissioning of the coal power plant fleet after 2030.
The department was guided by international best practice and the milestone approach of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of which South Africa is a member state.
The 2019 integrated resource plan is the government’s 20-year electricity generation plan, and promotes an inclusive energy mix that encompasses various sources such as coal, nuclear, gas, solar, wind and hydro, among others.
The department said the decision to build nuclear capacity was also informed by South Africa’s nuclear energy policy of 2008 which stated that nuclear energy should form part of the country’s strategy to mitigate climate change.
The department undertook to act with “diligence and transparency” throughout the process.