South Africa has joined a global effort to expand nuclear energy by officially endorsing an international declaration that aims to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050. The announcement was made during the Africa Energy Indaba held in Cape Town by Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, the country’s Minister of Electricity and Energy. With this step, South Africa becomes part of a group of 34 countries that have pledged to strengthen the role of nuclear energy in building reliable, clean, and affordable power systems.
The declaration is supported by governments that believe nuclear power can play an important role in the global transition toward low-carbon energy. By signing the agreement, South Africa joins countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan, along with African nations including Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. The goal of the coalition is to significantly increase nuclear power generation worldwide so that countries can reduce their dependence on fossil fuels while ensuring a stable electricity supply.
The World Nuclear Association welcomed South Africa’s decision and described it as an important step for the global nuclear industry. As the only African nation currently operating a commercial nuclear power plant, South Africa’s participation is viewed as a strong signal of leadership for the region. The move could encourage other African countries to consider nuclear power as part of their long-term energy strategies.
According to Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association, nuclear energy is an essential technology for improving energy access while helping countries meet climate goals. She noted that South Africa’s commitment adds new momentum to the Net Zero Nuclear initiative, which promotes the rapid expansion of nuclear capacity to support global decarbonization efforts.
Global financial institutions have also begun to show increasing support for nuclear projects. Several multilateral development banks and around sixteen major financial organizations have recently revised their policies or expressed willingness to fund nuclear energy developments. These changes are expected to help accelerate investment in new reactors and advanced technologies.
Current projections suggest that if countries successfully implement their energy plans, global nuclear generation capacity could grow to more than 1,200 gigawatts by the middle of this century. This would represent a major expansion compared to today’s levels and could significantly contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
For South Africa, the declaration comes after several domestic developments in the nuclear sector. The country recently secured a license extension for the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and has shown renewed interest in advanced nuclear reactor technologies. By supporting the global target to triple nuclear capacity, South Africa is signaling its intention to maintain nuclear energy as a key part of its future power mix, providing stable electricity while supporting economic growth and climate commitments.
Source: Solar Quarter