They are available at about $1bn each, and take up the same space as a football stadium
06 June 2023 - 14:47
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Mineral resources and energy minister Gwede Mantashe. Picture: GALLO IMAGES
Though not a fan of our resident “Dr No”, I must support mineral resources & energy minister Gwede Mantashe’s proposal for new nuclear stations to augment our power supply, even if it’s in the “do we, don’t we” in-tray at present (“Climate body sees no place for new nuclear in SA mix”, June 5).
Small modular reactors are finding favour in many countries, including the UK. They are available off the shelf at about $1bn a pop, and take up the same space as a football stadium. They could be located at old coal station sites so they would not offend the green lobby, and could be easily connected to the existing grid.
If we ever get the $8bn promised for our energy transition there will be enough to build half a dozen, with plenty left to grease the palms of our corrupt politicians, without which nothing will happen anyway.
It remains to be seen if it will make a difference to the hole the country is in, but we have to start somewhere.
Bernard Benson Parklands
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments to letters@businesslive.co.za. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
LETTER: New nuclear stations not a bad idea
They are available at about $1bn each, and take up the same space as a football stadium
Though not a fan of our resident “Dr No”, I must support mineral resources & energy minister Gwede Mantashe’s proposal for new nuclear stations to augment our power supply, even if it’s in the “do we, don’t we” in-tray at present (“Climate body sees no place for new nuclear in SA mix”, June 5).
Small modular reactors are finding favour in many countries, including the UK. They are available off the shelf at about $1bn a pop, and take up the same space as a football stadium. They could be located at old coal station sites so they would not offend the green lobby, and could be easily connected to the existing grid.
If we ever get the $8bn promised for our energy transition there will be enough to build half a dozen, with plenty left to grease the palms of our corrupt politicians, without which nothing will happen anyway.
It remains to be seen if it will make a difference to the hole the country is in, but we have to start somewhere.
Bernard Benson
Parklands
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments to letters@businesslive.co.za. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
Climate body sees no place for new nuclear in SA energy mix
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Climate body sees no place for new nuclear in SA energy mix
Mantashe to forge ahead with procurement of 2,500MW nuclear power
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.