Controversial Cape nuclear power plant gets green light

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion George, upheld a previous decision granting environmental authorisation for Eskom to build and operate a new nuclear power station in the Western Cape.

Image credit: Eskom

Environmentalists had appealed against the original 2017 authorisation for a new 4,000-megawatt nuclear power station being built at Duynefontein, close to the Koeberg plant near Cape Town that is currently the only existing commercial nuclear power in Africa.

Exploring solutions to South Africa's costly electricity tariffs for businesses

7 Aug 2025

"The granting of an environmental authorisation does not exempt an applicant from complying with any other applicable legal requirements or obtaining permits from other competent authorities," George said in a statement.

Eskom's plants exceed 70% efficiency, ensuring stable winter supply

4 Aug 2025

South Africa regards nuclear power as a critical part of its baseload energy mix as it diversifies away from coal-fired plants that supply the bulk of its electricity needs to more renewable energy sources.