Enugex travels to South Africa

Energy Mix, Momentum & Nuclear Ambition

June 29, 2025

Ramaphosa: Nuclear will be highly considered in new South African energy plan

Earlier this month, Mitch was on the ground in Johannesburg meeting with:

  • Government officials shaping South Africa’s energy strategy

  • Private sector players building the next generation of infrastructure

  • Key ecosystem stakeholders driving clean energy adoption

Key learnings from the trip:

  • 🇿🇦 South Africa has a clear plan for a diversified energy mix through 2045, blending renewables, nuclear, gas, and distributed generation

  • ☢️ Nuclear is back in focus — the plan includes 5,000 MW of new nuclear build by 2036 (1,250 MW added every year from 2032–2036)

  • ⚡ Renewables remain a priority, with strong year-on-year targets for solar, wind, and battery storage to stabilize the grid

  • 🏙️ Excitement and alignment from cities and provinces—regional leaders are actively exploring ways to attract investment and fast-track project implementation

  • 🤝 The Enugex model—focusing on enabling local integration, permitting, and long-term operations—is well suited to support this transition

🇿🇦 Filling South Africa’s Nuclear Plan Gap

Koeberg Nuclear Plant

South Africa’s energy plan calls for 5,000 MW of new nuclear capacity by 2036—primarily through additions of 1,250 MW each year starting in 2032. But the country is starting from a narrow base:

  • 🏭 Koeberg, South Africa’s only operational nuclear plant, contributes just 1,860 MW and is undergoing life-extension, not expansion

  • 🔬 Pelindaba (also referred to as Pelile Ndaba) is non-generational, serving research and legacy functions—not designed for grid-scale power

  • ⚠️ This leaves a gap of over 3,000 MW between today’s nuclear capacity and the 2036 target

To bridge this, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are an increasingly attractive solution. They offer:

  • Faster deployment timelines

  • Modular siting in areas with industrial or energy resilience needs

  • Lower capex and more flexible financing than large nuclear plants

We’re also seeing a fascinating shift in leadership:

  • 🏙️ Cities—not the national government—are pushing hardest for storage and reliability

  • 📉 Facing regular load shedding, municipalities feel the urgency and are taking procurement into their own hands

  • ⚡ They’re actively piloting battery storage, distributed solar, and even exploring local SMR siting to stabilize local demand

This decentralization matches Enugex’s philosophy: support national goals by enabling local action—city by city, site by site.

Nuclear in the news…

World Bank Ends Its Ban on Funding Nuclear Power Projects

The decision, a major reversal, could help poorer nations industrialize, cut planet-warming emissions and boost U.S. competitiveness on next-generation reactors.

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/climate/world-bank-nuclear-power-funding-ban.html?smid=wa-share

List of African countries with a nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia

In recent years, several African countries have signed nuclear cooperation agreements with Russia, intending to employ nuclear technology for initiatives such as energy generation, medicinal applications, and agricultural developments

africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/list-of-african-countries-with-a-nuclear-cooperation-agreement-with-russia/rp0jsh5

Rosatom State Atomiс Energy Corporation ROSATOM global leader in nuclear technologies nuclear energy

Rosatom State Atomiс Energy Corporation ROSATOM global leader in nuclear technologies nuclear energy NPP engineering NPP construction energy generation nuclear fuel R&D back-end nuclear medicine power engineering nuclear icebreaker fleet wind power plants uranium mining uranium enrichment

www.rosatom.ru/en/press-centre/news/russia-and-burkina-faso-sign-agreement-on-cooperation-in-the-peaceful-use-of-nuclear-energy

End of World Bank nuclear ban paves the way for Africa

As the World Bank ends its ban on funding nuclear energy, countries such as Kenya and Ghana will be better placed to raise finance.

african.business/2025/06/energy-resources/end-of-world-bank-nuclear-ban-paves-the-way-for-africa

Niger to nationalise uranium mine operated by French state-affiliated firm

Niger’s nationalisation of Somair mine operated by Orano comes as it moves away from France and closer to Russia.

www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/20/niger-nationalises-uranium-mine-as-spat-with-french-nuclear-giant-worsens

Catalyzing South Africa’s Nuclear Next Gen

South Africa is moving, and Enugex is already laying the groundwork to move with it. We see the signals:

  • A nuclear gap that demands faster, smaller, smarter deployment

  • Cities rewriting the energy rulebook from the ground up

  • A grid evolving not just through policy, but through pressure, creativity, and urgency

Enugex is positioning to capitalize on this moment. We won’t say everything yet—but we’re already working across the stack:

  • Brokering conversations between SMR players and forward-leaning metros

  • Mapping localized demand and resilience gaps

  • Aligning incentives between public-sector urgency and private-sector capability

This isn’t just an opportunity—it’s a shift. And Enugex plans to be at the center of it.

More soon.