First ever G20 Nuclear Ministerial Conference kicks off in Durban
In addition to African ministers the event also attracted the IAEA), delegates from G20 nations and select, invited organisations
Hosted on the sidelines of South Africa’s G20 presidency, the inaugural G20 Nuclear Energy Ministerial Conference was held at the Coastlands Hotel in Umhlanga, Durban, underscoring the continent’s rising role in the global nuclear energy sector.
In addition to African ministers the event also attracted International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, delegates from G20 nations and select, invited organisations.
Delivering his opening remarks, Programme Director Professor Bismark Tyobeka, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of North-West University celebrated the milestone as he welcome guests to Durban’s “pristine beaches and beautiful coastline.”
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“This is a very historic and significant occasion for our country,” Tyobeka continued as he highlighted South Africa nuclear legacy by noting Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant as Africa’s first, and for now only, operating nuclear power plant.
“In 1985, exactly 40 years ago, it produced the first electricity generated by nuclear on the continent,” he said, adding that the National Nuclear Regulator recently concluded the public participation process for the power plant’s 20-year extension.”
He also praised Grossi’s visit to Pelindaba nuclear research centre, a 60-year-old research reactor producing radio-pharmaceuticals for global cancer treatment. “We’re not doing this for South Africa, it is for South Africa and the continent,” Tyobeka emphasised, congratulating the IAEA and Department of Energy and Electricity.
Nuclear power in South Africa
Also delivering a keynote address, South African Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa stressed the importance of nuclear energy‘s economic impact for the country. “We are the most industrialised country on the continent…our installed capacity is 50% of Sub-Saharan Africa,” he said, crediting the two reactors at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.
Advocating re-industrialisation via decarbonisation, he touted the potential of small modular reactors (SMRs). “Advances in technology give us a pristine opportunity for rapid deployment,” he said.
Ramokgopa addressed financing challenges, noting the IAEA‘s work on the economics of financing nuclear power projects and 14 major institutions endorsing tripling the use of nuclear energy by 2050. “Africa’s time is now,” he declared, citing Africa’s uranium reserves and global surging demand for the critical mineral.
He announced upcoming Cabinet decisions on a 2,500MW nuclear programme build and the repurposing coal plants, which could potentially cut costs 28-35%.
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IEAE Director General Gross echoed the sentiment of a “return to realism” when it comes to matters nuclear.
“Nuclear has an indispensable role in any intelligent energy mix, he said, praising Koeberg’s long-term operation as “the easiest, cheapest way to keep CO2 emissions low.
Grossi highlighted his agency’s support for Africa’s nuclear expansion, naming Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear power plant with its four reactors and emerging nuclear programmes in Ghana, Kenya and other countries as well as plans to investigate small nuclear reactors (SMRs) around the continent.
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Addressing financing barriers he said:” We turned that page,” in reference to a World Bank-IAEA agreement which has engaged 20 institutions so far.
On coal repurposing he noted opportunities in South Africa and Brazil, emphasising regulatory harmonisation via the Nuclear Harmonisation and Standardisation Initiative.
Cover photo: Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General and Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, South African Minister of Electricity and Energy, at the G20 Nuclear Energy Ministerial Meeting in Durban, SA. Source: Facebook/BRICS Africa Channel