South Africa plans to install 9,600 Megawatts of nuclear power

South Africa is aiming to install over 9,600 megawatts of nuclear power in the next 15 years to address the chronic power shortages that has hit the country.

“Our plan is to introduce nine 9,600 megawatts of nuclear energy in the next decade in addition to running Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant. We will test the market to ascertain the true cost of building modern nuclear plants. Let me emphasis that we will only procure nuclear on a scale and pace that our country can afford,” said President Zuma during the annual state-of-the-nation convention.

During his speech, Zuma encouraged the country to attract foreign investors as the country is under stiff economic crisis.

“The tough global and domestic conditions should propel us to redouble our efforts, working together as all sectors. In this regard, it is important to act decisively to remove domestic constraints to growth. We cannot change the global economic conditions, but we can do a lot to change the local conditions,” he said.

Zuma’s speech highlighted plans to revive the struggling economy including plans to increase investment and grow small businesses.

He also announced plans to cut the budget by reducing international travel for officials and possibly centralizing the government, which is currently split between two cities.