The Department of Electricity and Energy is preparing a report to Cabinet to recommend the approval of lifting the pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR) from care and maintenance to allow South Africa to revive the development of its PBMR capability.

“Nuclear is the future and is alive in South Africa. It will play a significant role in the industrialisation and localisation of massive infrastructure development to stimulate economic growth and create high-technology jobs,” Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has said.

He spoke during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), isotope production company Aerodynamic Separation Process Isotopes (ASPI) and utility Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) on November 14.

The MoU is aimed at positioning South Africa as a leader in global nuclear technology, and consolidating and expanding nuclear in South Africa’s energy mix.

This agreement is also about leveraging nuclear investment and partnerships as a catalyst to drive industrial development, including expanding research and innovation capabilities, he said.

A letter of intent was also signed as a prelude to the formal signing of the MoU with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).

“Through these partnerships, we are setting the stage for collaborative innovation, and ensuring safer, more efficient, and sustainable solutions that will power the future of nuclear globally,” said Necsa Group CEO Loyiso Tyabashe.

Further, Ramokgopa emphasised the importance of the strategic re-establishment of a full nuclear complex, comprising both power and technology applications for peaceful and developmental purposes, to address South Africa’s socioeconomic needs.

Ramokgopa met a number of nuclear experts of major nuclear companies in the US that have developed small modular reactor technologies and had been trained in South Africa.

“This demonstrates South Africa’s capabilities to train highly recognised nuclear professionals who are making a significant global contribution in the nuclear sector,” he averred.

“Government has taken a firm position to build a multi-purpose reactor to complement the SAFARI-1 research reactor to ensure that South Africa remains a global leader in nuclear research and development, as well as in the production of radioisotopes that are globally used for nuclear medicine.”

Additionally, there is global growth in the development of small modular reactors. This positions South Africa well to revive its small modular reactor project, namely the PBMR, he added.