South Africa postpones the plans for a nuclear power facility in order to conduct additional

South Africa’s energy minister announced on Friday that the procurement process for a new nuclear power station will be postponed in order to facilitate additional consultation, in response to legal challenges.

In December, the government announced that it was preparing to request proposals for an additional 2,500 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power. However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) party and two non-governmental organizations, which were then in opposition, initiated legal challenges to enjoin the procurement.

Following the African National Congress’s first parliamentary majority loss in three decades in an election in May, the DA has become a member of the coalition government that was established.

On a separate note, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed legislation into law that establishes the groundwork for a competitive electricity market, according to a statement released by his office.

Africa’s most industrialized economy has been beset by rolling blackouts for years, despite the fact that there have been no disruptions for more than four months. The Electricity Regulation Amendment Act contains long-planned reforms that are intended to enhance the efficiency of the power sector.

When Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa announced the nuclear procurement delay on Friday, he acknowledged that there had been insufficient public participation thus far.

The individual stated that he had elected to withdraw a document from the government gazette that would have permitted the procurement to continue.

A report that addresses the conditions the energy regulator imposed for its support of the procurement will be reworked by officials, who will also consult with the public once more.

Ramokgopa reiterated that the government remains committed to expanding its nuclear capacity beyond the 1,900 MW Koeberg facility, which is located outside of Cape Town, at a pace and scope that are viable for the country.

“Nuclear is part of the future, but it’s important that as we go out and procure, the procurement process must be able to stand the test of time,” the government official stated.

He anticipated a three- to six-month delay in the procurement procedure.

The government’s nuclear ambitions have sparked apprehension among a significant number of South Africans, as a 9,600 MW agreement with Russia, which was initiated during Jacob Zuma’s scandal-plagued presidency, was derailed in 2017 by a court challenge.

On the African continent, Koeberg is the sole operational nuclear power facility. A 20-year life extension was granted to it last month.