FISSI(ON) THE MENU

10th September 2021 By: Darlene Creamer

FISSI(ON) THE MENU

Moves to open the way for 2 500 MW of new nuclear capacity raise a menu of questions. If new nuclear is affordable, why is there no allocation for it in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)? If it’s designed to replace power from Inga, why is there not a broader IRP overhaul to test the least-cost options? Is anyone in government concerned at all about least-cost? Why should South Africa be a small modular test case when designs are not yet commercialised? Will a broke Eskom have to pay its way to become the owner/operator? Does nuclear even fit into a future system that will be dominated by, based primarily on economics, variable renewable energy? And how does a coastal nuclear plant support a just transition for vulnerable coal workers and communities? And there are many more questions, including ones about the potential for corruption.