The Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa (Niasa) has “warmly” welcomed Energy and Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s “significant” announcement that the country is poised to launch a program to construct 2,500 MW of new nuclear power capacity.
New nuclear was included in the energy mix outlined in the country’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2023.
Advocating for a Balanced Energy Mix
“Niasa has consistently championed an energy mix that aligns with the country’s developmental needs,” emphasized Niasa deputy president Gaopalelwe Santswere.
“[T]he world has embraced nuclear as a vital source to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Nuclear is recognized as a crucial complementary energy source to renewables, providing the necessary reliability and grid stability.”
Global Momentum for Nuclear Energy
Santswere cited the declaration signed earlier this year by over 20 countries, committing to triple their nuclear generation capacity by mid-century to reach the global 2050 target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, thereby limiting the global temperature rise to less than 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels.
The declaration asserted that “new nuclear technologies could occupy a small land footprint, can be sited where needed, partner well with renewable energy sources, and offer additional flexibilities that support decarbonization beyond the power sector, including hard-to-abate industrial sectors.”
U.S. Leadership in Advanced Nuclear Energy
He also referenced the U.S. Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (Advance) Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden last year.
“This law strengthens our nation’s leadership in civilian nuclear energy and accelerates the deployment of these technologies by providing additional resources and authorities to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, without diminishing the utmost importance of the Commission’s work to protect people, communities, and the environment,” affirmed U.S. national climate advisor Ali Zaidi at the signing of the Advance Act.
Feasibility of Converting Coal Plants to Nuclear
Santswere highlighted recent studies from the Universities of Michigan and Idaho, along with the Alward Institute, which examined the feasibility of converting 245 operational coal-fired power plants in the U.S. to advanced nuclear power plants. They concluded that such conversions were highly feasible and economically viable.
Call for Gradual Conversion of Decommissioned Coal Plants
“Policy decision-makers in South Africa should heed these insights and advocate for the gradual conversion of coal power stations slated for decommissioning into nuclear power plants,” he urged.
“This would ensure the preservation of economic activities in the areas that housed these coal plants, preventing them from becoming ghost towns.”
Disapproval of Legal Action Against Nuclear Policy
“It is regrettable that members within the GNU [Government of National Unity] find it appropriate to criticize government policy by resorting to legal action to settle old political scores,” Santswere added.
“Niasa finds it perplexing that members of the GNU warn the Minister against issuing the [Request for Proposals] for 2,500 MW of nuclear power, which has undergone the same [National Energy Regulator of South Africa] concurrences and Section 34 Ministerial Determinations processes as renewables, including public participation.
This should be seen as disingenuous and opportunistic from those members opposing the Minister, as it would deprive the country of mitigating future load-shedding concerns by planning early through the procurement of more dispatchable electricity.”