The latest bad news about Koeberg Nuclear Power Station is a stark reminder of the country’s precarious power supply

July 26, 2023

It also illustrates the need for private sector investment in the energy space, and for government to accelerate efforts to grow the energy sector.
The Cape Chamber shares widespread concerns about the reported work delays at Koeberg which threaten to add further strain to an already compromised national grid. The Western Cape in particular will feel the strain should both of Koeberg’s nuclear reactor units be offline simultaneously, as now appears increasingly likely due to work delays. Power previously generated by Koeberg would need to be transmitted from upcountry, leaving the Province more vulnerable to power supply interruptions. Amidst tough economic conditions this would be a severe blow to the local economy.

Koeberg’s current woes are also a reminder of the country’s power supply conundrum. How much money should be spent on extending the life of our ageing power stations, and how much on creating new capacity? It’s a difficult equation and one without much room to manoeuvre.

Amidst ongoing debate about the future energy blueprint, one thing is certain: economic growth requires energy resilience. The Western Cape’s grid stability cannot be dependent upon Koeberg’s wellbeing, particularly in light of its recent history of maintenance delays. In addition the power station’s longevity is still unclear; the National Nuclear Regulator must still make a final decision on the power station’s operating licence which expires next year. NNR approval is not guaranteed.

What is clear is that the Western Cape is in the market for megawatts, and the bigger the market the sooner the Province can build up the necessary buffer to prevent high level load shedding.

The good news is that the Province and the City of Cape Town are leading the way in terms of facilitating private sector investment in the energy sector.

From Atlantis comes news of a trailblazing renewable energy partnership that offers a blueprint for future action in the energy space. Atlantis Foundries (AF), one of Africa’s largest foundry operations, has signed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement with integrated energy solutions company Energy Partners. The deal involves installation of 20 000 solar panels which will significantly reduce AF’s electricity consumption and carbon footprint. It will also contribute to Cape Town’s overall renewable energy capacity and assist with load shedding curtailment. Together with City stakeholders the two companies have successfully navigated a minefield of technical and regulatory obstacles to create a new benchmark. It is great news for Atlantis and great news for South Africa, a significant investment motivated partly by a long-term commitment to doing business. We applaud all partners in this groundbreaking initiative in the hope of seeing similar investments in the near future.

Derryn Brigg
Deputy President of the Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry