Koeberg Unit 2 licence extension secures SA’s low-carbon energy future

How the continued operation of Koeberg provides a skills, technology, and infrastructure bridge to the next phase of South Africa’s nuclear expansion

South Africa’s energy security and decarbonisation goals received a significant boost with the approval to extend the operating licence of Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 for an additional 20 years, ensuring continued safe operation until 2044.

The move supports the country’s Just Energy Transition (JET) Plan and the forthcoming Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2025), both of which recognise nuclear power as an essential pillar in building a balanced, low-carbon electricity system.

The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) confirmed that Koeberg Unit 2 met all the technical, safety and regulatory requirements for licence renewal, following a comprehensive review aligned with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safety Standards and international best practice.

The decision guarantees that South Africa will maintain access to clean, reliable baseload power during the transition period as renewable energy capacity continues to expand.

Key points for the Koeberg license extension

• Licence extended: The NNR has approved a 20-year extension for Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Unit 2, allowing safe operation until 2044.
• Energy security: The decision ensures continued baseload supply of clean, reliable electricity while South Africa expands its renewable energy capacity.
• Policy alignment: The extension supports the goals of the JET Plan and the IRP2025, both recognising nuclear as key to a low-carbon future.
• Regulatory confidence: NNR confirms that all safety and regulatory requirements were met, reaffirming South Africa’s adherence to IAEA Safety Standards and international best practice.
• Future readiness: The move preserves national nuclear skills and infrastructure ahead of the planned 5,200MW nuclear expansion and emerging Small Modular Reactor (SMR) projects.

According to the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa (NIASA), the licence extension represents a tangible example of a Just Energy Transition in action. This action safeguards energy security while supporting climate commitments, economic inclusion and skilled employment, states NIASA. Without such measures, the country would risk reverting to high-emission, short-term energy solutions to meet growing demand.

NIASA commended the NNR and Eskom for their diligence and technical rigour throughout the approval process, noting that the extension demonstrates confidence in South Africa’s nuclear governance and regulatory systems. “This milestone reaffirms the robustness of South Africa’s nuclear safety framework and the essential role that Koeberg plays in achieving both energy stability and carbon reduction,” the association said in its statement.

Planned nuclear expansion through the IRP2025

The continued operation of Koeberg is also viewed as a strategic bridge toward South Africa’s planned nuclear expansion. The IRP2025 envisages adding 5,200MW of new nuclear capacity, which would further diversify the national energy mix.

Maintaining Koeberg’s operation ensures that South Africa preserves its technical expertise, supports local industry participation, and enables future programmes such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and industrial cogeneration projects. These are all consistent with the JET Plan’s localisation and job creation objectives.

Public participation also played a central role in the process. NIASA highlighted the value of the stakeholder consultations conducted by the NNR in the Northern and Western Cape, noting that open engagement fosters public trust and reinforces transparency, which are critical elements of a truly just transition.

Beyond the technical and policy dimensions, the extension of Koeberg Unit 2 is being celebrated as a broader success for South Africa’s long-term energy strategy. It underscores that nuclear energy can coexist with, and complement, renewables in providing a secure, low-carbon, and inclusive power system.

As NIASA reaffirmed, collaboration across government, regulators, industry, labour, and civil society remains key. “Nuclear energy continues to contribute to economic growth, industrialisation, skills development, and a climate-resilient, equitable South African energy future,” the association concluded.

Cover photo: By ESI AFRICA