Eskom picks nuke sites

The National Energy Regulator says it has received two nuclear installation site licence applications from Eskom to build new reactors along the east and west coasts.

The aim is to install an additional 9600MW of nuclear power by 2030 to overcome chronic electricity shortages that have dented economic growth.

Eskom operates the Koeberg nuclear plant near Cape Town, and has been designated as an owner and operator by the government, which plans to issue a request for proposals for the new nuclear fleet by the end of March.

The sites applied for by Eskom were Thyspunt in Eastern Cape and Duynefontein in Western Cape, the regulator said.

In Thyspunt, the proposed site is said to lie 100km from Port Elizabeth and between Cape St Francis and Oyster Bay, approximately 15km northwest of Cape St Francis.

"Both applications mentioned the applicant's intention to construct and operate multiple nuclear installations (power reactors)," the regulator said.

The licensing process included a thorough review and safety assessment, the regulator said, adding that compliance with regulations would also be determined.

The intention to build a fleet of six nuclear power stations has raised concerns of how the country, struggling with low growth and facing a ratings downgrade to "junk" status, will be able to pay the costs, which are estimated to be between R400-billion and R1-trillion.

Besides the cost implications, environmentalists and activists are also arguing that South Africa - blessed with an abundance of sunshine and wind - should ramp up adoption of its green energy projects instead of building nuclear power plants.

Renewable energy contributes up to 1 600MW during the day from solar and wind, including Eskom's 100MW Sere wind farm.