Necsa welcomes revival of PBMR project as South Africa reignites nuclear ambitions

Banele Ginindza

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has welcomed the government’s decision to revive the country’s Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) programme, saying it marks the beginning of a new era in reactivating the full nuclear fuel cycle and restoring South Africa’s leadership in advanced nuclear technologies.

This follows Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s announcement on Sunday that the PBMR will be lifted out of care and maintenance and formally transferred from Eskom to Necsa.

The move brings back to life one of the country’s most significant scientific and industrial assets, mothballed since 2010.

Necsa Group CEO Loyiso Tyabashe said the decision represents a major milestone for the country’s nuclear innovation pathway.

“Nuclear energy remains central to achieving a low-carbon, sustainable energy mix that supports industrial growth and job creation. Necsa is ready to utilise the technology to produce nuclear fuel and engage strategic partners for the development of the technology and intellectual property.”

The PBMR project, which was placed under care and maintenance in 2010, represented South Africa’s pioneering effort in developing a small modular reactor (SMR) high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) technology.

According to Necsa, the recent global surge in exploration of nuclear power, especially SMRs for various applications augurs well for the revivalof the PBMR technology.

South Africa will once again be at the forefront of research to take SMRs into the future where they support smaller grids, big energy and process heat users.

"The Cabinet’s approval marks a new chapter in South Africa’s nuclear innovation journey," Tyabashe said.

Ramokgopa said South Africa is accelerating its nuclear ambitions as it moves to compete more aggressively with China in supplying nuclear fuel and SMRs to the African market.

More than 20 African countries are now at advanced planning stages for SMR installations, creating what he described as an “insatiable” continental demand for nuclear fuel.

BUSINESS REPORT