Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has acknowledged that the affordability and upfront capital required for additional nuclear power generation is a challenge.
Speaking at the 2nd G20 Energy Transition Working Group meeting in Cape Town earlier this week, Ramokgopa outlined his departments goals for the expansion of nuclear technology in the country.
South Africas nuclear energy programme has been in operation since 1984.
Energy Expert Ruse Moleshe says nuclear projects need to be planned over a long period of time. She maintains that the costs need to be balanced against the cost of not having energy, as is the case during loadshedding.
"Yes, it has upfront capital costs similar to how renewable energy technologies are. There is a lot of capital needed in the beginning, which is why it's one of the cheapest right now, so it's an investment that is required at an early stage. But countries are looking at options because they value having security of supply," says Moleshe.
