South Africa signals state-run nuclear energy supply

South Africa will diversify its energy base to include nuclear energy with generation run by the state, said Malusi Gigaba, the country’s minister of public enterprises. “We are going firmly into nuclear generation,” Malusi Gigaba said. “Nuclear generation will be conducted by the state. It is an important asset that should remain in the hands of the state.”

The country is diversifying its primarily coal-fired power generation by adding more renewables-based and nuclear electricity provision. The minister said the government is taking note of the lessons learnt after Fukushima but scaling up its nuclear contribution in power supply could only be delayed at most.

State-owned power utility Eskom Holdings, responsible for 95% of the national energy production, is currently building two new coal-based power stations but Gigaba said the country will require more power generation after the projects have been completed.