Govt messed up the 9.6GW nuclear project – Mantashe

The 9.6GW nuclear project, under former president Jacob Zuma's administration, failed because government failed to develop it "systematically" at a "pace and rate" the country could afford, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has said. The minister was speaking during a webinar about the just transition hosted by the Wits Business School on Thursday. Mantashe was frank that the country is intent on keeping nuclear part of the range of technologies - including solar, wind, hydro and coal combined with carbon capture - needed to ensure energy security. The Integrated Resources Plan of 2019 (which is currently under review) also makes provision for 2 500MW of nuclear. Mantashe said the request for proposal for this would be issued "very soon". South Africa currently has about 1 800MW of nuclear power from the Koeberg power station in the Western Cape. The plant is currently undergoing refurbishment as part of the requirements for it to continue operating for a further 20 years. But just a few years ago, government – led by Zuma – had tried to push through a 9.6GW nuclear project that never got off the ground. "The reality is that I think in the previous project of nuclear – we did mess up in the 9600MW nuclear project. We were found wanting in developing it systematically at a pace and rate that we can afford," Mantashe said.