IAEA Launches Outlook on Nuclear Power for Development in Africa at G20

After participating for the first time as an invited organization during the G20’s Brazilian presidency last year, the IAEA is once again collaborating with the world’s largest economic bloc — this time under the South African presidency to advance work on nuclear power.

South Africa is for now the only African country with nuclear power, with its two-unit Koeberg Nuclear Power Station supplying nearly two gigawatts of electrical generation capacity. However, enthusiasm for nuclear power is building across the continent, where fossil fuels currently dominate energy production, accounting for more than 70% of electricity production.

South Africa is partnering with the IAEA during its G20 presidency and focusing on the implementation of nuclear new build programmes in Africa. There is particular interest in small modular reactors (SMRs) in Africa given the grid infrastructure requirements. “The global interest in SMRs is increasing due to their ability to meet the need for flexible power generation for a wider range of users and applications as we move from high carbon emissions to lower carbon emission sources,” said Zizamele Mbambo, Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy in South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.