By Paul Burkhardt and Paul Vecchiatto
South Africa has dropped proposals to boost supply from nuclear plants in its latest energy blueprint and will increasingly harness renewable sources as it trims a reliance on coal.
“There will be a study to determine if more nuclear is needed after 2030,” Energy Minister Jeff Radebe told reporters in Pretoria on Monday. “But until then, there is no increase in nuclear generation envisaged.”
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Wind and natural gas are each projected to increase by 8,100 megawatts of capacity, while 5,670 megawatts will come from solar and 2,500 megawatts from hydropower, according to the plan. Coal, which currently makes up the bulk of the country’s energy source, will add 1,000 megawatts. The Department of Energy, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa and state-owned utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. are tasked with carrying out the proposals.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has this year overseen the replacement of Eskom’s leadership as he seeks to attract $100 billion of investment to the country. A program to add more renewable power from independent producers has been revived.
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Some labor groups have opposed renewable power generated by private developers, arguing that the projects threaten jobs. While coal will decline to less than half of the country’s total installed capacity by 2030, it will still contribute more than 65 percent of energy production, according to the plan. Gas and wind power will account for more than 30 percent of capacity.
Read more at South Africa Drops Nuclear, Adds Renewables in Energy Plan
