/ 15 February 2007

R100-billion plan to power SA with nuclear plants

The Nuclear Energy Corporation of SA (Necsa) expects electricity generated from nuclear energy to increase by 25 000 megawatts by 2030, which could cost as much as R100-billion, Business Report reported on Thursday.

To achieve this, the government would have to build about 24 pebble-bed modular nuclear reactors as well as 12 conventional nuclear power stations, Necsa chief executive Rob Adam told a conference in Johannesburg.

The major shift to increased reliance on nuclear power is aimed at reducing South Africa’s dependence on coal-fired power stations, which emit greenhouse gases, the paper said.

Eskom is spending R97-billion to meet growing demand for energy. – Sapa