If appetite exists for nuclear, state will give nod

The department of mineral resources & energy is to sound out the market to determine the appetite for a 2,500MW nuclear plant as allowed for in the government’s long-term energy plan, the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).

Minister Gwede Mantashe and officials of the department briefed parliament’s portfolio committee on mineral resources & energy on the annual strategic plan on Thursday. Included in the plan for 2020 is the development of a roadmap for 2,500MW of nuclear energy.

The place of nuclear generation in SA’s energy mix became controversial after former president Jacob Zuma’s administration had forced it into the energy plan and put pressure on the Treasury to fund it.

The IRP, published by Mantashe in 2019 after years of delays, was cautious and said the government would “commence preparations for a nuclear build programme to the extent of 2,500MW at a pace and scale that the country can afford because it is a no-regret option in the long term”.

In response to questions from MPs on the prospects of the programme becoming a reality, Mantashe said that he is open to proposals on a nuclear build plan.

“Renewable energy was developed by the private sector because there is appetite for it in the market. If a company wants to produce a modular reactor, they can make a proposal. This could be on a build, operate, transfer model, which means that there will be no immediate call for financing,” he said.

“All we are saying is that we are exploring all options and if there is appetite in the market for it we will do it.”

The department’s deputy director-general for nuclear energy, Zizamele Mbambo, said: “The nuclear new build is in the IRP. We are implementing the IRP. We will issue a request for information to determine the scale and pace the country can afford.”

ALL WE ARE SAYING IS THAT WE ARE EXPLORING ALL OPTIONS AND IF THERE IS APPETITE IN THE MARKET FOR IT WE WILL DO IT