South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment, Dr Dion George, has upheld a 2017 decision to grant power utility Eskom Environmental Authorisation to construct and operate a new NPP. The decision was upheld after eight years of contentious debate despite appeals by various environmental organisations. The Koeberg Alert Alliance (KAA), filed appeals against the initial authorisation, arguing that recent developments since 2007 necessitated a reassessment.
“In considering these appeals, I have carefully reviewed the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAr), as well as the independent peer review conducted in respect of the project,” Dr George said. “In the end, my decision was made in respect of the principles of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998, and with full appreciation of the environmental, social and economic considerations involved.”
The decision upholds authorisation for a 4,000 MWe NPP nuclear facility at Duynefontein, near the existing Koeberg NPP close to Cape Town. However, it does not automatically grant Eskom permission to begin construction or operation of the nuclear station.
Other authorisations will also be required. These include:
- A nuclear installation licence from the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR);
- Approval from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA);
- Water use licences from the Department of Water & Sanitation;
- Any other relevant approvals, including those from the Minister of Mineral & Petroleum Resources.
George said that the protection and preservation of South Africa’s environment is a non-negotiable. “The Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment supports South Africa’s transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future where inclusive growth, job creation and poverty reduction are central.”
In September 2024, Business Insider Africa reported that South Africa was prepared to partner with major nuclear markets to boost its nuclear capabilities, identifying BRICS members as potential collaborators.
The Koeberg NPP provides around 5% of South Africa’s electricity. It is the only commercially operating nuclear power station on the African continent. Koeberg is equipped with two pressurised water reactors with a combined capacity of 1934 MWe. Koeberg 1&2 started commercial operation in 1984 and 1985. Koeberg 1 received a licence to continue operating until 2044 in July 2024, and Eskom is planning to extend operation of unit 2 until 2045.
Zizamele Mbambo, Deputy Director-General for Nuclear Energy at South Africa’s Department of Electricity and Energy, speaking to ESI Africa at Enlit Africa, said nuclear energy is central to meeting net-zero emissions targets. “Nuclear provides clean baseload electricity, the cheapest electricity and there is now the realisation globally that without nuclear, the net-zero emissions by 2050 will not be achieved. Therefore what we are noticing now is that globally there is a move by many countries to increase their nuclear capacity to make sure that they can meet the net-zero emissions target by 2050.”
In response to Dr George’s decision, KAA spokesperson Peter Becker noted that the environmental impact assessment process was started in 2007, and so much has changed since then, including population density, and the cost of alternatives and it was not rational to ignore these changes and to base such a crucial decision on thoroughly outdated studies.
“It is of note that the EIA consultants found that Duynefontein (Koeberg) was not the best site for a new plant, due to seismic risks and population density in the area,” Becker said. “’It appears the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has been pressured to override the consultants’ view due to economic factors. It is of course far cheaper to build a new plant where there is already existing infrastructure.”
Becker said given that the EIA process had taken 18 years to complete, it seems unlikely that Eskom will consider any other site as it would have to restart a new EIA.
The decision was also criticised by Greenpeace, which raised concerns over affordability, safety, and the timing of South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan. “Greenpeace is strongly opposed to authorising a 4 000 MWe nuclear power station at Duynefontein,” said Greenpeace Africa senior climate and energy campaigner, Melita Steele.
