S.Africa Gives Nuclear a Nod to Help Power Crisis

South Africa’s cabinet has approved the country’s nuclear policy, enabling the controversial technology to play a greater role in alleviating a critical power shortage, a senior government spokesman said on Thursday.

Utility Eskom has rationed power to the key mining sector since a near total collapse of the electricity grid in January. The power shortage has spooked investors and is seen contributing to slower growth this year.
Eskom, which operates South Africa’s only nuclear plant, Koeberg, plans to spend 350 billion rand (US$43.56 billion) on generating capacity over the next five years and has invited bids for a new nuclear power station.

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