The South African government’s obsession over the past decade with nuclear power may finally come to an end with a new president and administration committed to restoring good governance and securing reliable electricity supply at least cost to support economic growth and development.

The inherent complexity of nuclear procurement, financing, and especially construction, means no new nuclear generated electricity could flow for at least a decade even with immediate procurement, and then only at prices well above other electricity options. The risk that the project might collapse as unfinanceable, or through corruption, creates further uncertainty around South Africa’s electricity choices.

Report by UCT Business School