Theme: Promoting Global Partnership for Nuclear Build Expansion Programme South Africa has been a user of nuclear technology and energy since the founding of the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1957. Although many African countries are IAEA members from its establishment, South African remains the only African country to possess nuclear technology capability and use for agriculture, medical
and commercial nuclear power generation purposes. South Africa, through its Necsa owned and operated SAFARI-1 nuclear research reactor generates radioisotopes which are used in multiple disciplines including medicine, where for the last two decades, radioisotopes such as Molybdenum have been exported to over 60 countries worldwide to diagnose and treat cancer and in the process save multiple lives. In 2019, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Department (DMRE) released the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) which provides a blueprint for South Africa’s envisaged energy mix including nuclear. Policy Position 8 of the IRP 2019 suggests that government should immediately commence with small-scale nuclear build programme to the extent of 2 500 Megawatt MW by 2030, at a pace, scale and cost affordable to the country
In June 2020, DMRE released a Request For Information (RFI) in respect of the Nuclear 2 500 MW of New Build Power Procurement Programme, solely for information and planning purposes. Nuclear Technology Imbizo will bring together industry stakeholders and experts to help determine the state of knowledge and readiness in South Africa for the expansion of nuclear programme. It will also gather information on the current technology designs while providing a platform to discuss different funding models as well as factors leading countries to pursue nuclear technology. Nuclear Technology Imbizo will be held in accordance with the South African guidance on COVID-19
