Nuclear Energy in South Africa: An Opportunity for Greater Energy Efficiency and Energy Security

The increasing concern raised by the overreliance on fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal and oil has pushed countries around the world to look for alternative sources such as nuclear energy. South Africa is one such country that has, in recent years, begun to strongly consider the prospects of using more nuclear energy as part of the energy mix. The current makeup of South Africa's energy use consists primarily of coal (which accounts for 75% of energy consumption), followed by oil, gas, nuclear and renewables. The inefficiency and highly polluting factor of coal, and the current strain on the power grid, have pushed South Africa to look closer at the prospects of using nuclear energy. With current initiatives of the locally developed Pebble Bed Modular Reactor being put on hold due to financial constraints, South Africa is also looking abroad for possible actors to participate in the construction of a fleet of new nuclear reactors. The development of this industry has substantial possibility to provide job creation, skills development, meeting CO2 reduction targets, greater energy security and better energy efficiency. However, safety considerations and the costs involved are major aspects to take into account. This article seeks to analyse the existing power supply sector in South Africa and note the feasibility that nuclear energy can play in South Africa's energy security and efficiency. An overview of current policy developments will also be provided in order to note the stance of the South African government with regard to nuclear energy and energy security.