SA’s new energy blueprint: 6,000MW gas and 5,200MW nuclear power by 2039
Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has announced a new plan focusing on expanding gas and nuclear power
Image: Supplied/GCIS
As South Africa continues its efforts to permanently end load shedding, Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has announced a new plan focusing on expanding gas and nuclear power to secure the country’s energy future.
The minister said this during a press briefing on Sunday, where he also revealed that the government plans to add 6,000 megawatts of gas-to-power and 5,200 megawatts of new nuclear capacity by 2039.
"We're building 5,200 megawatts of new nuclear capacity in this country. Solar (PV) is going to be a big part of the mix going into the future, and then that's an additional 25,000 megawatts of solar PV."Wind [is] another 34,000 megawatts of PV [and] gas now ramps up to 16,000 megawatts."
This shift forms part of the government’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025, an energy strategy that aims to resolve the country's long-standing electricity crisis. The government plans to invest R2.2 trillion to achieve the plan.
The minister added that this marks a "historic" shift in the country's energy mix, as cleaner sources like nuclear, gas, wind, and solar will, for the first time, produce more electricity than coal.
“This is a pivot towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. We are not abandoning coal, but we are addressing the emissions problem while making full use of our resources.”
The Integrated Resource Plan is a government policy that will guide South Africa’s electricity supply and aims to provide reliable power, reduce load shedding, and support economic growth.
Ramokgopa said there are challenges ahead, like a shortage of skilled workers and a weak construction industry, adding the government was committed to fixing these problems and creating new jobs.
“This is not just about electricity. It’s about growing the economy, attracting investment, and improving people’s lives.”
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