Nuclear Energy: The Light And Dark Sides

The Revised Balanced Scenario (RBS) set out in the Integrated Resource Plan 2010 to 2030 (IRP2), states that in addition to all existing and committed power plants, it is necessary for security of power supply in South Africa to also include a nuclear fleet of 9,6 GW or 9 600 MW amongst other alternative forms of energy. According to Yelland, "the final Policy Adjusted IRP2010 increased the new generation capacity build from 52 248MW proposed in the RBS to 56 359MW".

The projections for nuclear are now increased from 9.6GW / 9 600MW to 11.4GW / 11 400MW. Although the IRP2 is intended to be subject to periodic review and adjustment, since its publication in October 2010, the Department of Energy (DOE) has not indicated any desire to amend the projections in the IRP2 in respect of the nuclear fleet. The South African nuclear energy policy does not cover any non-electricity related applications of nuclear technology. This is the light side of nuclear energy used by