National
Govt to add 9 600 MW of nuclear power capacity to national grid─── 10:54 Thu, 18 Dec 2014
Pretoria - Government says its will add 9 600 megawatts of nuclear power capacity to the national grid, equal to nearly a quarter of the current capacity.
Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj says government has launched a procurement process to build the new plants.
He says presentations of what other countries can offer South Africa in terms of nuclear technology have been concluded.
Eskom has battled to keep the lights on recently with limited generating capacity, problems at its power stations and a shortage of diesel supplies.
Maharaj says the nuclear new build programme will create massive infrastructure development, thus stimulating the economy and enabling the country to create thousands of high quality jobs.
Maharaj says government will now design and launch a procurement process.
Eskom Chief Executive Officer Tshediso Matona previously warned that rolling blackouts will be a reality for the next year or two.
Leanne Kunz/OFM News
Mac Maharaj:
