PBMR project revived as Koeberg gets 20-year extension

SOUTH Africa is stepping into a new era of nuclear energy, with Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, announcing significant developments in the country's nuclear programme, including the lifting of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) from care and maintenance and the extension of Koeberg Unit 2 operations.

- WENDY DONDOLO

Speaking during media briefing, Ramokgopa said the move marks a decisive step towards revitalising South Africa’s nuclear capabilities and contributing to global nuclear technology innovation.

“The need for us to beneficiate the critical minerals that are going to underpin the decarbonisation agenda is going to rely on clean baseload technologies, and nuclear is going to feature significantly,” he said.

“As a country, we say we are not going to be left behind. We have built a body of knowledge over time.”

The PBMR, previously on hold, will now resume active development, allowing South Africa to expand its role in the nuclear fuel cycle and Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology.