South Africa’s Minister for Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has announced that the country requires an investment of over R60 billion(equivalent of $3,287,268,000) to enhance its nuclear program at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation.
According to him, R1.2 billion($65,745,360) has been allocated in the current budget to fund the project outside Pretoria.
“We need to invest in a new multipurpose reactor. I’ve made the point that we have made the case to cabinet. In the current budget, R1.2 billion in the medium term has been allocated to ensure that we support them. But you need something upwards of R60 billion to achieve the kind of ambition that you want.
“So that’s why it’s important that we begin to think creatively about how we can partner with the private sector whilst retaining ownership of this technology,” said Ramokgopa while speaking at the 60th anniversary of the country’s first nuclear reactor SAFARI 1.
This development is part of South Africa’s efforts to revitalize its nuclear program, which has been ongoing since the 1960s.
South Africa’s nuclear program includes both nuclear energy and nuclear medicine, with the country maintaining two pressurized water reactors commissioned in 1984 and 1985.
The Koeberg nuclear power station, located near Cape Town, is the only commercial nuclear power station in Africa.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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