South Africa: Nuclear at the heart of the energy mix

Highlighting the goal of achieving self-sufficiency in the nuclear fuel cycle

Nuclear energy remains one of the safest and most highly regulated power generation technologies globally. This is according Zizamele Mbambo, Deputy Director-General for Nuclear Energy at South Africa’s Department of Electricity and Energy.

Speaking to ESI Africa at Enlit Africa, Mbambo said nuclear energy is central to meeting net-zero emissions targets and outlines South Africa’s plan to expand its nuclear capacity, including extending the life of the Koeberg nuclear powre plant and reviving the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) project. 

“Nuclear provides clean baseload electricity, the cheapest electricity and there is now the realisation globally that without nuclear, the net-zero emissions by 2050 will not be achieved. Therefore what we are noticing now is that globally there is a move by many countries to increase their nuclear capacity to make sure that they can meet the net-zero emissions target by 2050,” said Mbambo.

He shared that South Africa has a permanent seat in the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the country is in compliance with all the international obligations as far as the utilisation of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

“That’s why nuclear power is so important in South Africa. It is an integral part of our energy mix. As you know,  we’ve operated the Koeberg nuclear power station here in the Western Cape for more than 40 years, safely.”

Mbambo also highlights the goal of achieving self-sufficiency in the nuclear fuel cycle, contributing to economic growth, industrialisation and energy security.

Cover photo:  The Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant in the Western Cape, South Africa. Source: Eskom